New Delhi: India’s sugarcane crushing season is in its final stage, with as many as 454 sugar mills still continuing crushing operations.
Sugar output in the country has reached 225.30 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) as of February 14, according to the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd. (NFCSF), the apex body representing farmer-owned cooperative sugar mills across India. Sugar production this year is higher compared to the same period last season (2024–25), when output stood at 197.80 LMT.
The Sugar Season 2025–26 has begun on a strong note due to early crushing operations and improved yields.
A total of 534 sugar mills across the country participated in crushing operations this season, compared with 532 mills last season. These mills have crushed 2,419.59 LMT of sugarcane during the period. Till February 14, a total of 80 sugar mills have closed their operations, according to NFCSF.
The top three sugar-producing states—Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka—account for 87.48 per cent of the total sugar produced in the country, as per the data. Maharashtra leads with sugar production of 89.80 LMT, compared with 68.10 LMT during the same period last season. Uttar Pradesh follows with 65.60 LMT (63.25 LMT last season), while Karnataka has produced 41.70 LMT, up from 37.20 LMT last season.
