The Uttar Pradesh government is likely to peg the state’s sugar output for 2018-19 (Oct-Sep) at 12.5 mln tn, slightly higher than 12.3 mln tn produced in 2017-18. The cane acreage has risen in 2018-19. It will reflect in sugar production figures also. In Uttar Pradesh cane acreage was the highest at a record 2.39 mln ha against 2.30 mln ha a year ago, as of last week. Indian Sugar Mills Association, however, has projected production of the sweetener in the state at a much higher 13.0-13.5 mln tn for the upcoming season. The state government is likely to estimate total cane available for crushing at 115 mln tn for 2018-19.