According to the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), the country's net sugar production without diversion for ethanol is up 58.07 lakh tonnes (lt) or 18% from last year. However, after accounting for diversion for ethanol production, sugar production is 44.06 lt higher. This season to September, a greater-than-expected diversion of about 14 lt sugar into ethanol occurred.
This season, 521 mills were operational, compared to 506 mills the previous season. As of May 15, 2022, approximately 405 mills had ceased crushing operations, while 116 sugar mills remained in operation in the country.
According to an ISMA statement, the majority of the operating factories are expected to close by the end of this month. However, a few mills may continue to operate until the first two weeks of June.
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have a special season that starts in June/July and lasts until September. During the special season last year, both of these states produced a total of 4.36 lt of sugar.
"According to port information and market reports, over 85 lt of contracts for sugar export have already been entered into." Approximately 71 lt of this total have been physically exported out of the country as of the end of April. In comparison, 43.19 lt were exported during the same period last year.
Total sales in April were estimated at 23.91 lt based on information provided by mills and ISMA estimates. Total sales in the current season are expected to be 160.05 lt, up from 152.61 lt in the same period last year.
This would imply that sales in the current fiscal year up to April are up about 7.5 lt, or about 5%, compared to the same period last year.
About ISMA:
The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) is India's leading sugar organization. It serves as the country's interface between the government and the sugar industry (both private and public sugar mills). The primary goal is to ensure that the functioning and interests of both private and public sugar mills in the country are protected by the government's conducive and growth-oriented policies.
