Overview
- All-India production reached 159.09 lakh tonnes by January 15, up 22% year on year, with 518 mills crushing versus 500 a year earlier.
- Maharashtra produced 64.50 lakh tonnes, a 51% rise, with 204 mills in operation, while Uttar Pradesh reached 46.05 lakh tonnes and Karnataka 31 lakh tonnes.
- Several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana and Bihar, lifted the agreed cane price to Rs 380 per quintal for the early variety.
- Ex-mill prices in Maharashtra and Karnataka are around Rs 3,550 per quintal, which ISMA says sits below the current cost of production.
- ISMA reports indications of growing cane payment arrears and urges an early increase in the Minimum Selling Price to support timely farmer payments and market stability.