Sugar Output to Dip 1.4% in 2022-23 as Mills Will Divert Cane to Make More Ethanol: ISMA
by Deepa Jainani (Financial Express) India’s sugar production in 2022-23 season is likely to fall 1.4% from the current season despite an increase in acreage as mills are likely to divert more cane for ethanol production, industry body Indian Sugar Mills Association said in a statement on Friday.
Based on the satellite images, ISMA has estimated that the total acreage under sugarcane in the country will go up by 4% to around 5.82 million hectares in 2022-23 sugar season (October to September) as against 5.58 million hectares in 2021-22. The increase in acreage is estimated to result in the net sugar production being higher at 39.99 million tonne, against 39.4 million tonne estimated for 2021-22. “However, with an increased sugar production, sugar diversion towards production of ethanol is also estimated to be higher,” ISMA said, adding that the estimated diversion of cane juice and B-molasses to ethanol will reduce sugar production by about 4.5 million tonne in next season, as compared to about 3.4 million tonne diverted this year. READ MORE