Sugarcane acreage in the country was at 4.19 million hectares as of last week, a shade lower than 4.23 million hectares a year ago. So far, cane acreage is lower on year in most states, but higher in Maharashtra, where the cane output is likely to rebound after a sharp drop last year. Last year, cane acreage in Maharashtra was at 650,000 ha, up 2.7% on year. Sugarcane output in the state had fallen to an eight-year low last season due to drought, while sugar output had dropped to around 4.2 million tonne. Traders expect sugar production in Maharashtra to improve to around 7 million tonne in the new crushing season starting October, taking India’s total sugar output to 24-25 million tonne, sharply higher than year 20 million tonne.