ISMA Cuts 202526 Sugar Output Estimate By 5.6% To 32.4 MT

2026-02-26 02:05:38

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Feb 26 (KNN) India's sugar production for the 2025–26 marketing year has been revised downward by 5.57 percent to 32.40 million tonnes (MT), according to the third advance estimate released by Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) after its executive committee meeting.

This marks a reduction from the earlier projection of 34.35 MT. Despite the downward revision, production remains higher than last year's output of 29.62 MT.

State-wise, net production in Maharashtra is now estimated at 10.6 MT, Uttar Pradesh at 9.25 MT and Karnataka at 4.84 MT. While these figures have been revised lower compared to previous estimates, they are still above last year's levels.

In Uttar Pradesh, lower yields are attributed to a varietal replacement programme, although sugar recovery rates have improved. In Maharashtra and Karnataka, output was affected by early flowering of sugarcane due to excess rainfall and shorter harvesting windows caused by higher crushing rates.

Out of the total production, about 3.1 MT is expected to be diverted towards ethanol production, leaving net sugar availability at 29.3 MT, which is higher than the 26.12 MT recorded in 2024–25. With an opening stock of 5 MT, total sugar availability is projected at 34.3 MT.

This comfortably exceeds the estimated domestic consumption of 28.3 MT. ISMA has forecast exports at 700,000 tonnes, while closing stocks are projected to stand at 5.3 MT at the end of the marketing year.

Looking ahead, planting for the 2026–27 season has improved in Maharashtra and Karnataka, indicating a stable production outlook and healthy opening stock levels of around 5.3 MT.

The estimates are based on field visits, weather data, yield patterns, recovery rates and crushing trends. Overall, despite weather-related yield pressures in key producing states, India's sugar balance sheet for 2025–26 remains well-supported with adequate stocks and stable supply conditions.

(KNN Bureau)

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