India's sugar production declines

MUMBAI, Apr 16 (Reuters): Indian mills produced 31.09 million tonnes of sugar between Oct. 1 and April 15, down 0.5 per cent from the previous year due to lower output in the key producing southern state of Karnataka, a leading industry body said on Tuesday.
Sugar mills are closing their operations at a higher pace than last year and so far, 448 mills have closed compared to 401 a year ago, the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said.
Western state of Maharashtra has produced 10.9 million tons of sugar so far this season, while northern state of Uttar Pradesh has churned out 10.1 million tons, the ISMA said.