It is reported by economictimes.

The sugar till December 15 in 2022-23 sugar season is 8,21 mln tonnes, against 7,79 mln tonnes produced during the corresponding period of previous year, up by 400,000 tonnes. The sugar production figures are before diversion of sugarcane juice for ethanol production.

The state of Maharashtra is leading with production of 3,3 mln tonnes of sugar, followed by Uttar Pradesh, which has produced 2,03 mln tonnes of sugar.

"The number of operating factories is also higher at 497 against 479 which operated last year on the correspoding date," said ISMA.

Based on port information and market reports, ISMA has pegged India's export contracts at 4,5-5 mln tonnes, against the quota of 6 mln tonnes, out of which 600,000 tonnes of sugar has been physically dispatched out of the country till November 30.

"Another about 800,000-900,000 tonnes of sugar is in the pipeline to be exported in the month of December. The total exports by the end of December could be around 1,5 mln tonnes," said ISMA.

Indian sugar mills and exporters have demanded for a second tranche of export quota for the ongoing sugarcane crushing season.