Sugar production may touch record 4 million tonnes

25 Jan, 2004

There has been 35 percent less cultivation of sugarcane crop during the current season all over the country.
The seasonal operation by the sugar mills during the current season was delayed for about a couple of months, and as such the land was not available for the fresh cultivation. Now, the decline in sugar production next year is inevitable.
But according to industry circles, there will be a record production of sugar this year which may touch about four million tonnes.
About 3.2 million tonnes will be consumed locally and there may be surplus of 0.8 million tonnes.
Sources said the carry over of the surplus sugar next year will ease the situation, and the less cultivation of sugarcane crop this season will not have any effect of sugar shortage.
At present, sugarcane lifting by the mills is very slow. Indents are being issued with slow speed.
However, the mill-owners are confident that they will be able to crush the entire cane crop during the current season.
The ex-factory price of sugar now is about Rs 16 per kg. In retail it is ranging between Rs 19 and Rs 21.

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