India sugar production 2025/26 data shows that output has reached 27.39 million metric tons (MMT) as of April 15, 2026, marking an 8% increase compared to the 25.43 MMT produced during the same period last year. According to the latest report from the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF), this growth effectively pushes the current volume past the total production of the entire 2024/25 season (26.2 MMT).
Regional Performance: Maharashtra Leads the Rally
The nationwide increase is primarily driven by a massive recovery in the western and southern regions, offsetting a slight dip in the north:
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Maharashtra (Top Producer): Production skyrocketed by 23%, reaching 9.92 MMT compared to 8.06 MMT last year.
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Karnataka: Output rose 17% to 4.71 MMT, up from 4.04 MMT.
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Uttar Pradesh (UP): India’s second-largest producer saw a marginal 2% decline, with output falling to 8.92 MMT from 9.1 MMT.
Operational Efficiency and Recovery Rates
The industry reported an improved average sugar recovery rate of 9.55%, up from 9.37% in the previous cycle. This technical efficiency has allowed mills to maximize crystal sugar output despite regional variations in cane quality.
As the crushing season nears its conclusion:
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520 out of 541 active mills have already ceased operations for the year.
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Only 21 mills remain operational, mostly concentrated in Tamil Nadu (11) and Uttar Pradesh (9). Most remaining mills in the north are expected to finish crushing by the end of April.
YnSugar Outlook: Global Supply Implications
With the season officially ending on September 30, additional production is still expected from the “special season” in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka during August and September.
The surplus in India—the world’s second-largest producer—could signal a shift in global white sugar premiums. If India’s final tally comfortably exceeds 30 MMT (including ethanol diversion), market participants will be closely watching for any policy shifts regarding export quotas, which have been tightly restricted to stabilize domestic prices.
