Maharashtra Sugar Mills Commence Crushing Amid Protests
As of October 22, 65 sugar mills in Maharashtra have begun their crushing operations, facing challenges from farmer protests and drought conditions.
65 sugar mills have started operations in Maharashtra's 2026-27 season.
Farmers are protesting for higher sugar and ethanol prices amid drought concerns.
Projected sugar production may decline significantly this season.
The sugarcane crushing season for Maharashtra has officially commenced, with 65 mills beginning operations on October 22, 2023. Sugar Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Kolte confirmed that licenses for crushing have been issued to 158 mills, while applications from others are still under review. This season's start has been sluggish, particularly in western Maharashtra, due to ongoing protests from the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, a farmers' organization advocating for better prices and conditions.
In Kolhapur, Guardian Minister Prakash Abitkar announced plans for a joint meeting to expedite the initiation of crushing operations in the district. This meeting is anticipated to address the delays and facilitate a smoother start for the mills. However, the season is overshadowed by uncertainties regarding sugarcane availability, exacerbated by erratic rainfall and drought-like conditions affecting crop yields.
The Sugar Commissionerate has estimated Maharashtra's sugar production at approximately 90.18 lakh tonnes, but other industry forecasts suggest a more significant decline. B.B. Thombre, president of the West India Sugar Mills Association (WISMA), predicts a nearly 20% reduction, estimating production could fall to around 80 lakh tonnes. Agrimandi Live has even lower projections, estimating production at 75 lakh tonnes based on current agricultural assessments.
The crushing season is expected to last between 90 to 100 days, contingent on sugarcane availability, the operational pace of the mills, and prevailing weather conditions. The impact of irregular rainfall and water shortages on crop health will become clearer in the coming weeks, potentially shortening the crushing period and altering production estimates.
Amid these challenges, farmer organizations across Maharashtra continue to protest for increased sugar and ethanol prices, demanding a rise in the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar from Rs 31 to Rs 50 per kg and ethanol prices to Rs 70-75 per litre. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has promised to facilitate a meeting between farmer representatives and sugar millers at the Central government level to address these demands. The outcome of these discussions, along with the ongoing protests and sugarcane availability, will significantly influence the trajectory of Maharashtra's sugar season.
