9.84 lakh tons of sugar has been produced in the current sugar

9.84 lakh tons of sugar has been produced in the current sugar season 2012-13 upto 15th November, 2012. This is about 2 lakh tons higher to the production in the corresponding period last year of 7.76 lakh tons upto 15th November, 2011. However, against 215 sugar mills crushing sugarcane last year at the same time, 178 sugar mills have started their crushing operations as on 15th November, 2012; the major difference being that as against 43 sugar mills which had started crushing last year in Uttar Pradesh, only 3 have started the crushing operations as on 15th November, 2012 therein. The major reason could be that the Diwali this time was later than last year. However, as against 178 sugar mills which have been crushing sugar as on 15th November this year, 177 sugar mills had started crushing at the same time 2 years back in 2010-11 sugar season. The higher production of around 2 lakh tons is mainly on account of higher production from the sugar mills in Karnataka who had produced 2.37 lakh tons last year, but have already produced 4.20 lakh tons this year. 49 sugar mills in Karnataka are crushing sugar as on 15th November, 2012, against 48 sugar mills on the corresponding date last year. In Maharashtra, 93 sugar mills have started their operations against 95 sugar mills last year. The production estimates of ISMA are still at 240 lakh tons during the current sugar season. (ISMA)