Sugar production in Maharashtra is likely to be lower in 2022-23 to 124 lakh tonnes as against 137.28 lakh tonnes in 2021-22 due to adverse climatic conditions in different parts of the state, reports PTI.
Shekhar Gaikwad, state Sugar Commissioner, has stated continuous rains rendered the ground wet for long periods, which impacted sugarcane cultivation.
“We had predicted sugar output to be 138 lakh tonnes this season before the start of cane crushing season but now we expect it to be around 124 lakh tonnes,” he said.
“The crushing season will be over early when compared to last year. In the last crushing season, the factories worked till the start of monsoon. Now, it will work till April end. A total of 199 factories are currently operational in the state,” Commissioner added.
Sugar mills in Sangli, Satara, and Kolhapur districts are likely to close by March end and the mills in Marathwada would close by April end, he said.
