The Hindu Business Line : Sugar production may touch 187 lakh t

SUGAR production is estimated to increase by 47 per cent to 187 lakh tonnes during the current sugar season 2005-06 (October-November) from 127.15 lakh tonnes recorded during the last season 2004-05, thanks to overall good rainfall recorded in the sugar producing States this year.

The highest increase was expected in Maharashtra (127 per cent), followed by Tamil Nadu (including Pondicherry) 64 per cent, Gujarat (45 per cent), Karnataka (45 per cent), Punjab (43 per cent), Haryana (33 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (19 per cent) and Andhra Pradesh (17 per cent), industry sources said.

State-wise sugar production in 2005-06 estimates are: Uttar Pradesh 60 lakh tonnes (50.37 lakh tonnes in 2004-05), Maharashtra 50 lt (22.05 lt), Tamil Nadu 18 lt (11 lt), Karnataka 16 lt (11 lt), Andhra Pradesh 11.5 lt (9.82 lt), Gujarat 11.5 lt (7.97 lt), Haryana 6 lt (4.5 lt), Punjab 4.5 lt (3.15 lt), Uttaranchal 4.5 lt (3.82 lt), Bihar 3.25 lt (2.54 lt) and others at 1.75 lakh tonnes. Other states include Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Kerala and Goa.

"Sugar recovery rate in Maharashtra has improved to 11 per cent this season. The overall production scenario is good. There are reports of some crop damage in South Maharashtra due to recent flood but it is fully compensated by higher recovery," a representative of sugar co-operative factory said.

Sugarcane crushing during the first two months of the current season 2005-06 has increased to 66.93 lakh tonnes, almost double from 32.58 lakh tonnes. Also, sugar production is expected to increase to 6.42 lakh tonnes, up from just 2.96 lakh tonnes due to increase in recovery rate from 9.71 per cent to 10.11 per cent. About 129 sugar factories are currently in operation as on November 30 compared with 84 factories last season.

"Sugar production in Tamil Nadu is expected to be good this season. It is too early to say any amount of reduction in production due to recent flood occurred in some parts of the state," an industry analyst said.

The current season has started with a carryover stock of over 40 lakh tonnes and the total sugar crop size is estimated at 187 lakh tonnes. Thus, the overall supply is estimated at 225-227 lakh tonnes for 2005-06. The annual consumption in the country may reach 195 lakh tonnes, sources said.

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