ISMA demands diversion of sugar for ethanol

New Delhi: Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) on Tuesday said it has requested the government to permit diversion of additional 10-12 lakh tonnes of sugar for ethanol production in the current season, amid reports of higher output. The government has capped sugar diversion for ethanol making at 17 lakh tonnes for the current 2023-24 season (October-September) in view of likely fall in sugar production due to drought in parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Till January 15 of the ongoing season, ISMA said mills have manufactured 149.52 lakh tonnes of the sweetener, down by 5.28 per cent from 157.87 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period. However, as per reports, recent weather has been favourable for the standing cane crop and cane commissioners of major states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka have done upward revision in their sugar production estimates for 2023-24 SS to the tune of 5-10 per cent each," ISMA said in a statement.

"We also believe that sugar production in the current year could be higher than what was expected earlier," ISMA said in a statement. Accordingly, ISMA has requested the government to allow additional 10-12 lakh tonnes of sugar diversion towards ethanol production, it said.