In a few days from now, the majority of sugar mills across India will end their sugarcane crushing for 2024-25 (October to September) season, with all eyes now fixed on the final production numbers and the impact that could have on domestic sugar availability in the coming months.
The supply situation has turned tricky after net sugar production (after accounting for diversion towards ethanol) was estimated to have fallen by almost 16-18 per cent from last year's level, mainly due to disease infestation in UP and a prolonged drought in Maharashtra, the two major cane-growing states in the country.
