The Maharashtra government’s ministerial committee has given the green light for the start of the sugarcane crushing season from November 1. However, it has raised concerns that this year’s excessive rainfall may impact sugar recovery rates, reported The Hindu BusinessLine.
At a recent meeting of the ministerial committee in Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewd the commencement of the 2025-26 crushing season. The committee also assessed the flood-related damage to sugarcane crops in various regions.
As per the news report, sugar millers have expressed concerns that a drop in recovery rates will affect sugar production. They have appealed to the state for support to ensure smooth operations in the upcoming season. Several millers pointed out that they are still struggling to pay the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) to farmers from the previous season due to financial constraints, and the additional challenges of the coming season will only add to their burden.
Despite these concerns, the government has decided to impose a levy of Rs 10 per tonne on sugar mills for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and Rs 5 per tonne to assist flood-affected farmers. Millers have opposed the levy, arguing that sugarcane farmers have already suffered significant losses from the floods, with vast areas of crops submerged. They warned that this additional charge would further harm cane growers already facing financial difficulties, the news report further added.
The crushing season is set to begin after Deepavali, as sugarcane cutters have expressed reluctance to begin work before the festival.
