INDIA: 2010/11 sugar production seen at 26 million tonnes
Published: 09/03/2010, 12:39:41 PM
Output may soar to 26 million metric tonnes in the season starting Oct. 1, according to Bloomberg.
Production may reach a record 29 million tonnes, according to the remaining two. India may produce 25.5 million tonnes in 2010/11, from 18.8 million tonnes estimated this year, according to the Indian Sugar Mills Association.
The higher output estimate is mainly due to a rise in crop area, good rains and increased productivity," said Vinay Kumar, managing director of National Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd., which accounts for half the nation's production. "There will be a surplus next year."
Farmers planted cane on 4.77 million hectares (11.6 million acres) as of Aug. 26, up 14% from a year ago, according to the farm ministry.
"The acreage is expected to increase 20% compared with last year," said Kumar, who participated in the survey.