Prices of sugar rose slightly in the key wholesale markets of Maharashtra due to reports of white grub pest attack in cane crop in the state. Medium-grade sugar was sold at 3,370 rupees per 100 kg in Mumbai and at 3,260 rupees in Kolhapur, both up 5 rupees per 100 kg. National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd has pegged Maharashtra’s sugar output in 2018-19 (Oct-Sep) to fall below 10 mln tn. Last year, mills in the state produced 10.7 mln tn sugar. In July, Indian Sugar Mills Association had projected production in the state for the season higher at 11.0-11.5 mln tn. The ground reality is that cane crop in Maharashtra, parts of Karnataka and Gujarat are under heavy infestation of pest called white grub. Further, there is a drought-like situation in Maharashtra. Reservoirs are also drying. Due to these factors, sugar production in Maharashtra will be lower,” he told Cogencis. Marathwada is a major grower of water-intensive sugarcane crop.