India's Sugar Production Rises 10.5% to 26.21 Million Tonnes in 2025-26 Year

India's sugar production reached 26.21 million tonnes by mid-March in the 2025-26 marketing year, marking a 10.5% increase from the previous year and surpassing last year's total output. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka remain the top producers, with some mills in South Karnataka expected to resume operations later. The Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) highlighted rising production costs and cash-flow pressures due to delayed cane payments, urging an early revision of the Minimum Selling Price to support mill viability and farmer payments without adding fiscal burden.