New Delhi: Sugar production in Maharashtra has been increased by over 68 per cent to 94.05 lakh tonnes till March 15 in the ongoing cane crushing season, as per the data released by the India Sugar Mills Association (ISMA).

So far, around 502 sugar mills have operated during the current sugar season 2020-21 (October-September) around the country, producing 258.68 lakh tonnes of sugar as on March 15, 2021, which is 19.68 per cent higher than the 216.13 lakh tonnes output of the sweetener in the year ago period.

According to ISMA, as on March 15, 2021, 171 mills have stopped crushing while 331 mills in the country are still on the job. Compared to that, 138 mills had stopped operations last year as on March 15, 2020 while 319 mills were operating at the time.

Sugar production has increased in Maharashtra, but it is down in Uttar Pradesh this season. Around 120 sugar mills, which were in operation in Uttar Pradesh this season, have produced 84.25 lakh tonnes of sugar till March 15.

Sugar production was 41.35 lakh tonnes in Karnataka till March 15, while it was 33.35 lakh tonnes in the same period a year ago. Considering the current situation in Karnataka and the upcoming special season in July-September, a total of around 42.5 lakh tonnes of sugar is expected to be produced in the state, said the industry body.

Gujarat has produced 8.49 lakh tonnes of sugar till March 15 as against 7.78 lakh tonnes last year. In Tamil Nadu, 4.01 lakh tonnes of sugar has been produced as compared to 4.12 lakh tonnes produced in the year ago period.

The remaining states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Odisha have collectively produced 26.53 lakh tonnes of sugar.

(With inputs from IANS)