Kolhapur: The sugarcane crushing season in Maharashtra is in its final stage, with most sugar mills having closed operations. The remaining mills are expected to shut by the end of March. However, despite the season nearing completion, as many as 159 sugar mills have yet to pay cane dues worth Rs 3,968 crore to farmers as of March 15.
According to data released by the Maharashtra Sugar Commissionerate, out of the 208 sugar mills that participated in the crushing season, 159 mills have not cleared the full Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) dues to farmers. Only 49 mills have paid 100% of the FRP.
The latest FRP report shows that, as of March 15, 2026, payments were calculated for sugarcane crushed up to February 28, with payments recorded up to March 15. By then, 208 mills had crushed about 1,015.87 lakh metric tonnes of sugarcane, generating total dues of Rs 39,329 crore.
Out of this, mills have paid Rs 35,676 crore so far, including harvesting and transportation charges, while the remaining amount is still pending.
Among the mills, 86 have cleared between 80% and 99% of dues, while 48 mills have paid between 60% and 79%. Another 25 mills have paid less than 60% of the dues. Overall, 159 mills account for the pending Rs 3,968 crore owed to farmers.
