The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) released its preliminary projections for the 2023-24 sugar season (SS), forecasting sugar production at approximately 337 lakh tonnes (lt), a decline of around 8 per cent from the estimated 366 lt for 2022-23. This is the gross sugar production for 2023-24 SS without considering diversion towards ethanol shall be sufficient for domestic consumption, ISMA stated.

Based on the satellite images procured in the later part of June 2023, the total acreage under sugarcane in the country is estimated to be around 57 lakh hectares in 2023-24 SS.

The images of the cane area, field reports regarding expected yield, sugar recovery, impact of previous and current year’s rainfall, water availability in reservoirs and other related aspects were discussed in the ISMA meeting and accordingly first advance estimates for 2023-24 SS are being released.