Highest Sugarcane Producing State in India (Updated List)

Highest Sugarcane Producing State in India: Maharashtra is one of India’s leading sugarcane-producing states and held the top position in the 2022-23 season. The annual sugarcane production in Maharashtra for that year was reported to be approximately 138 lakh tonnes (or 13.8 million metric tonnes). Maharashtra’s consistent performance in sugarcane cultivation underscores its pivotal role in India’s overall sugarcane production and the country’s sugar and ethanol industries.

In this article, We have covered the list of the Highest Sugarcane sugarcane-producing states in India as well as the largest Sugarcane sugarcane-producing states in the world and many more.

Let’s dive right in.

Highest Sugarcane Producing State in India

Highest sugarcane-producing state in India List:

The following is the list of the largest sugarcane-producing states in India:

Srl.No	States / UT	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	Average (2015-16 to 2019-20)	% to Total	Rank
1	Maharashtra	89.77	69.31	101.59	73.60	20.33	1st
2	Uttar Pradesh	179.71	179.54	177.67	164.37	45.40	2nd
3	Karnataka	42.41	38.18	42.09	35.39	9.77	3rd
4	Tamil Nadu	17.14	14.12	12.80	18.58	5.13	4th
5	Bihar	20.12	13.58	10.71	14.64	4.04	5th
6	Gujarat	11.33	11.57	15.85	11.61	3.21	6th
7	Haryana	8.51	7.73	8.53	8.16	2.25	7th
8	Andhra Pradesh	8.09	6.72	4.12	7.96	2.20	8th
9	Punjab	7.77	7.30	7.49	7.37	2.04	9th
10	Uttarakhand	6.33	6.94	6.96	6.38	1.76	10th
11	Madhya Pradesh	5.28	7.43	5.88	5.63	1.56	11th
12	Telangana	3.18	2.01	1.36	2.45	0.68	12th
13	West Bengal	1.34	1.53	1.56	1.52	0.42	13th
14	Others	4.45	4.53	2.64	4.41	1.22	14th
	All India	405.42	370.50	399.25	362.07	100.00

Largest Sugarcane-Producing States in India

The primary sugarcane producer state in India is Maharashtra, which, in the fiscal year 2022–23, recorded an annual production of 138 lakh metric tons of sugarcane.

Key Facts about Sugarcane Producing States in India

• Major Contributors: The lion’s share of India’s sugarcane production comes from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, collectively contributing a substantial 80% to the total output.
• Maharashtra’s Consistent Performance: Maharashtra consistently demonstrates its significance in sugarcane production, contributing an average of 61.32 million metric tons annually. This consistent performance underscores the state’s pivotal role in India’s overall sugarcane cultivation.

1. Largest Producer: India is one of the world’s largest producers of sugarcane, with a significant share of global production.
2. Top States: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka are the leading states in sugarcane production in India.
3. Uttar Pradesh Dominance: Uttar Pradesh consistently ranks as the top sugarcane-producing state in India, contributing significantly to the country’s overall production.
4. Crop Cycle: Sugarcane is a tropical and subtropical crop, primarily grown during the kharif season (monsoon season) in India.
5. Sugar and Ethanol: Sugarcane is a vital crop in India for both sugar production and ethanol production. The sugar industry plays a crucial role in the country’s economy.
6. Employment: Sugarcane farming and the sugar industry provide employment opportunities to a large number of people, especially in rural areas.
7. Export and Import: India both exports and imports sugar, depending on the domestic production and global sugar prices.
8. Government Support: The Indian government often announces minimum support prices (MSPs) for sugarcane to support farmers and ensure the sustainability of sugarcane cultivation.
9. Crop Diversity: Sugarcane is a versatile crop that can be used for various purposes, including sugar production, ethanol production, and molasses for alcohol production.
10. Challenges: The sugarcane industry in India faces challenges such as water scarcity, fluctuating sugar prices, and issues related to fair pricing for farmers.

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Top 10 Sugarcane Producing States in India in 2022–23

India boasts diverse states that contribute significantly to sugarcane cultivation. The top sugarcane producer states in 2022–23 are:

1. Largest Sugarcane Producing State in India – Maharashtra

Maharashtra is the leading sugarcane producing states in India. With an impressive production of over 138 lakh metric tons in 2022–23, the state excels due to consistent perennial water availability. Key sugarcane-producing regions include Pune, Satara, Solapur, Ahmednagar, and Aurangabad.

2. Second Largest Sugarcane Producing State in India – Uttar Pradesh

Securing the second position in sugarcane producing states in India, Uttar Pradesh experienced an increased area dedicated to sugarcane plantations in 2022–23, resulting in a production of 105 lakh metric tons. Major districts contributing to sugarcane production in UP include Meerut, Bareilly, Saharanpur, and Bulandshahr.

3. Third Largest Sugarcane Producing State in India – Karnataka

Karnataka holds the third spot in sugarcane producing states in India, with favorable climatic conditions supporting high-quality sugarcane production. In the 2019–20 period, the state recorded a production of over 38 million metric tons. Significant contributors include districts like Shimoga, Mysore, Belgaum, and Chitradurga, which benefit from irrigation projects in the Cauvery River.

4. Fourth Largest Sugarcane Producing State in India – Tamil Nadu

Occupying the fourth position in sugarcane producing states in India, Tamil Nadu annually produces an average of 18.5 million metric tons of sugarcane. Notably, it leads in productivity per hectare, producing an average of 99 tons per hectare.

5. Fifth Largest Sugarcane Producing State in India – Bihar

Fertile plains contribute to Bihar’s standing as a top producer of sugarcane and jaggery. Key districts like Patna, Darbhanga, Gaya, and Champaran play a crucial role in sugarcane cultivation.

6. Sixth Largest Sugarcane Producing State in India – Gujarat

Despite its industrial focus, Gujarat contributes over 3% of the total sugarcane producing states in India. Southern districts like Valsad, Navsari, Surat, and Bharuch are major contributors.

7. Seventh Largest Sugarcane Producing State in India – Haryana

Haryana produces more than 8 million metric tons of sugarcane on 1.3 lakh hectares of land and is an important state for grain production in our country. Additionally, the state is a producer of rice, jawar, bajra, and maize.

8. Eighth Largest Sugarcane Producing State in India – Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh benefits from black alluvial soil, ideal for sugarcane cultivation. Districts surrounding the Krishna and Godavari rivers contribute substantially to the state’s bulk sugarcane production.

9. Ninth Largest Sugarcane Producing State in India – Punjab

Punjab holds the ninth position in sugarcane producing states in India, averaging 7 million metric tons of sugarcane production across 0.92 lakh hectares of land. The state’s high productivity is attributed to its ingrained agricultural culture.

10. Tenth Largest Sugarcane Producing State in India – Uttarakhand

In the tenth spot in sugarcane producing states in India, the hilly state of Uttarakhand records an average annual sugarcane production of 6.38 million metric tons. Key contributors include Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar.

Largest sugarane-producing countries in the world

The following is the list of Largest Sugarcane producing countries in the world

Rank	State	Sugarcane Production (Million Metric Tons)
1	Brazil	740.32
2	India	376.91
3	China	109.56
4	Thailand	102.36
5	Pakistan	77.10
6	Mexico	57.78
7	Indonesia	31.68
8	Philippines	30.97
9	Colombia	25.68
10	United States (Florida)	17.40

FAQs on Sugarcane Producing States in India

Which state is currently the highest producer of sugarcane in India?

Maharashtra is currently the highest producer of sugarcane in India.

How much sugarcane did Maharashtra produce in 2022–23?

In 2022–23, Maharashtra produced over 138 lakh metric tons of sugarcane.

What are the major sugarcane-producing regions in Maharashtra?

Pune, Satara, Solapur, Ahmednagar, and Aurangabad are major sugarcane producer regions in Maharashtra.

Which state ranks second in sugarcane production in India?

Uttar Pradesh ranks second in sugarcane production in India.

How much sugarcane did Uttar Pradesh produce in 2022–23?

In 2022–23, Uttar Pradesh produced 105 lakh metric tons of sugarcane.

What districts contribute significantly to sugarcane production in Uttar Pradesh?

Major districts include Meerut, Bareilly, Saharanpur, and Bulandshahr.

Which state holds the third position in sugarcane production in India?

Karnataka holds the third position in sugarcane production in India.

What are the key sugarcane-producing districts in Karnataka?

Significant districts include Shimoga, Mysore, Belgaum, and Chitradurga.

What percentage of the world’s total sugar production does India contribute?

India accounts for approx. 15% of the world’s total sugar production.