Sugar production may decline by 7pc.

Sugar production in the 2022-23 season (October-September) is estimated to decline by 7percent to 33.5 million tonne (MT) from the previous year's 35.9 MT, mainly, due to lower cane yield in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Unseasonal rains during October last year have led to a drop in cane yield in both states.

Maharashtra, the biggest sugar-producing state, has cut the estimate for the sweetener's production by 9percent to 12.5 MT. Karnataka's sugar production this year is estimated at 5.5 MT, 14percent less...