Due to higher sugarcane production in Maharashtra and Karnataka, the country’s sugar production increased by 24 per cent to 20.9 lakh tonnes during October 1-November 15. The mills have so far signed an agreement to export 2.5 million tonnes of sugar, according to the ISMA report. The Sugar Marketing Year runs from October to September. The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said that in the current 2021-22 season, sugar production till November 15, 2021 has reached 20.90 lakh tonnes as against 16.82 lakh tonnes in the same period last year. Many sugar mills in the south and west started their operations early in the current season, resulting in increased production. In Uttar Pradesh, non-seasonal rains in the third week of October have affected crushing operations in the current season. Production in Uttar Pradesh has come down from 4 lakh tonnes to 2.88 lakh tonnes. However, sugar production in Maharashtra has increased from 6 lakh tonnes to 8.91 lakh tonnes, while in Karnataka it has increased to 7.62 lakh tonnes from 5.66 lakh tonnes a year ago. According to port information and market reports, ISMA said that an average of 2.5 million tonnes of sugar has been exported so far. Out of this, about 2.7 lakh tonnes were exported in October 2021, as against 1.96 lakh tonnes in the same month last year. With an initial stock of 81.75 lakh tonnes of sugar and an estimated 305 lakh tonnes of sugar production is expected by October 1, 2021.