Overview

• National sugar output in 2024–25 fell by 18.38% to around 25.8 million tonnes, marking its lowest level since 2020–21.
• Favourable monsoon rains and anticipated yield improvements underpin the projected 2025–26 rebound.
• ISMA expects scope to export 2 million tonnes of sugar next season and divert 5 million tonnes for ethanol, up from 3.5 million tonnes this year.
• State-level output forecasts include 13.26 million tonnes for Maharashtra, 10.25 million tonnes for Uttar Pradesh and 6.61 million tonnes for Karnataka.
• The industry will press the government for timely export approvals, higher ethanol procurement rates and an increase in sugar’s minimum selling price.