Sugar production in the first three months of the 2012-13 sugar year was up 2.5 per cent at 7.96 million tonnes over the corresponding period last year.
The overall increase in output was bolstered by higher production in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
During October-December, 496 mills across the country have crushed 83 million tonnes of sugarcane, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said.
In Uttar Pradesh, where the mills started crushing in late November, the output was 11 per cent lower at 1.92 mt over last year.
Sugar recovery stood at 8.74 per cent, same as that of last year. Till date, about 121 sugar mills were operational in the State.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra produced 2.90 mt of sugar, about 4 per cent more than last year. The higher output has been attributed to the early commencement of crushing season and better operational utilisation.
About 161 sugar mills were operational till date against 167 in the corresponding period last year. Sugar recovery in Maharashtra stood at 10.46 per cent, almost the same as that of last year.
The reason for slowing pace in recovery revival is due to partially dry cane arrival to sugar mills. ISMA has projected a sugar output of 6.5 mt in Maharashtra in the current year.
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
In Karnataka, the output was higher by 17 per cent at 1.55 mt with a slightly better recovery at 9.87 per cent. Tamil Nadu has produced 3 lakh tonnes so far, while Andhra Pradesh has registered a 12 per cent increase at 3.28 lakh tonnes.
ISMA has reiterated its earlier projections of 24 mt for the year. The Government has pegged the 2012-13 output at 23 mt. The industry body is expected to review the situation by mid-January.