India’s sugar production for the current season 2024-25 reached 257.44 Lakh tonnes on May 15, 2025, according to the latest data published by the Indian Sugar Bio-Energy & Manufacturers Association (ISMA). Currently, two sugar factories remain operational at Tamil Nadu, where the main crushing season is still in progress.
In order to further improve production, several factories in southern Karnataka and Tamil Nadu should resume operations during the special crushing season from June / July to September 2025. Historically, this off -season crushing window contributes to 4 to 5 additional tonnes of the production of national sugar.
With this additional volume, ISMA estimates the total production of sugar for the 2024-25 season to close at 261 to 262 lakh tonnes. The season started with an opening stock of 80 Lakh tonnes. Taking into account in an expected interior consumption of 280 lakh tonnes and export volumes of up to 9 Lakh tonnes, the fence stock is likely to be a comfortable 52 to 53 tonnes Lakh, guaranteeing a stable supply for domestic demand.
A key highlight of this season was the diversion of sugar for the production of ethanol – part of the government’s push for clean energy. As of April 30, 27 lakh tonnes of sugar have already been redirected for the production of ethanol, with 6 to 7 tonnes of additional Lakh which should be diverted at the end of the season.
For the future, the sugar season 2025-26 seems promising, supported by strong cane plantation trends through the main producing states. In the Maharashtra and Karnataka, the favorable conditions of the Southwest monsoon in 2024 led to significant improvements in sugar cane sowing. This opens the field for an overwhelming and robust season from October 2025.
Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of northern India, varietal replacement initiatives gain ground, which could result in higher cane yields and better sugar recovery rates. The strengthening of this optimism is forecasts from the Meteorological Department of India (IMD) and Skymet, which predict a normal monsoon in 2025 – a critical factor for agricultural production.
