Shamli (Uttar Pradesh): Adverse weather conditions this season have led to a decline in sugarcane production in the district, directly affecting crushing operations at local sugar mills. According to data available up to March 5, the three sugar mills in the district have received 20.22 lakh quintals (2.022 million quintals) less sugarcane compared to the same period last year. The shortfall is expected to reduce overall sugar production and may force mills to close 15 days to one month earlier than usual.
According to a report published in Hindustan, the three mills in the district had crushed 211.47 lakh quintals of sugarcane by March 5 last year. However, during the current season, only 191.25 lakh quintals have been crushed so far.
Due to the lower availability of sugarcane, the mills have also not produced B-heavy molasses this season. The reduced supply has shortened the crushing season as well. Thanabhavan Sugar Mill has informed authorities that it will end crushing operations by March 20, while Un Sugar Mill will shut down on March 25. Shamli Sugar Mill is expected to continue operations until April 10, but this is also earlier than last year.
District Cane Officer Rajesh Kushwal said that during the previous crushing season, the three mills in the district produced a total of 28.91 lakh quintals of sugar. In comparison, the mills have produced 19.77 lakh quintals of sugar so far this season, indicating a likely drop in total sugar output.
