New Delhi, Jan. 6 -- India's sugar sector has begun the new sugar season (SSY26) on a strong footing, with industry data pointing to a sharp year-on-year improvement in production, even as structural challenges persist in the ethanol segment, according to a report by Centrum Institutional Research.

ISMA data shows that all-India sugar production stood at around 12.0 million metric tonnes (MMT) as of December 31, 2025, registering a growth of nearly 25 per cent compared to 9.5 MMT produced during the corresponding period last year.

The improvement has been supported by a higher number of operating sugar mills, with 504 factories currently in operation versus 492 mills at the same point last season.

State-wise data indicates that Maharas...