It is reported by Cognecis.

The state's sugar output is sharply lower on year due to delayed start in cane crushing by mills this season.

Last year, mills in the state had begun crushing operations in late October. This year, however, mills started crushing sugarcane earlier this month.

As of Monday, 45 out of 119 sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh were crushing cane, compared with 71 factories a year ago.

Mills in Uttar Pradesh, the country's top producer, have crushed 915 700 tonnes of cane, lower than 3,89 mln t a year ago.

The average sugar recovery from cane as of Monday was at 8,87%, down from 9,07% a year ago.

While sugar factories have commenced operations, the state government is yet to announce the state-advised price for cane for the ongoing season.

For 2018-19 (Oct-Sep), Indian Sugar Mills Association has estimated sugar output for Uttar Pradesh at 12,1 mln t, nearly unchanged from the previous year.

Earlier, ISMA had expected mills in Uttar Pradesh to produce 13,0-13,5 mln t sugar in 2018-19. However, the industry body scaled down its estimate citing untimely rainfall in September, which affected growth of sugarcane in its maturity period.

Uttar Pradesh, along with Maharashtra, accounts for around half of India's total sugar output.