India's sugar output seen up 16% in 2025-26; 15 lakh tonne exports allowed

India's sugar production for the 2025-26 sugar season is projected to rise sharply to 343.5 lakh tons, up around 16 per cent from 296.1 lakh tons in 2024-25, according to the first advance estimates released by the Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) this week.

- TBG NETWORK

The estimates, based on post-monsoon satellite imagery captured in October 2025, were reviewed at ISMA's Executive Committee meeting held on November 4.The assessment reflects improved cane acreage, favourable weather, and higher yields across major sugar-producing states nationwide. The total sugarcane acreage for 2025-26 is estimated at 57.35 lakh hectares, slightly higher than 57.11 lakh hectares in the previous year, representing a marginal 0.4 per cent increase. The improvement is attributed to healthy monsoon performance, sufficient reservoir levels, and strong cane development programs in key regions.ISMA noted that rainfall has been abundant across most sugar belts, and reservoir storage remains adequate to meet crop requirements. The imagery and field reports suggest a good to very good crop condition nationwide. Maharashtra, a key sugar producer, is poised to achieve a record output of 130 lakh tons in 2025-26, a significant increase from 93.