New Delhi, Aug. 7 -- Following discussions with the Centre, sugar mills will begin crushing sugarcane 10-15 days earlier than usual in the 2026-27 sugar season to bring fresh sugar into the market ahead of the festive season, according to a letter issued by the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) and the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd (NFCSF) to the department of food and public distribution on Thursday. The industry has, however, sought government support-including compensation for lower sugar recovery, a temporary waiver of the Centre's share of Central GST and a higher domestic sales quota-to offset losses from processing immature cane, saying mills were undertaking early crushing "in larger public interest". The move comes as sugar prices continue to climb despite a series of government steps. Average retail sugar prices touched a record Rs.50 per kg on Thursday, up nearly 9% from a year ago and 7% over the past month. The Centre has imposed stockholding limits on dealers, ordered physical verification of stocks at mills and extended an export ban through September in a bid to cool prices. In the joint letter, the ISMA and the NFCSF said India had sufficient sugar stocks to meet domestic demand and there was "no cause for concern" over availability. Asked why mills needed to start crushing early if stocks were adequate, ISMA director general Deepak Ballani said it was "a preventive step to reinforce supply" before the festive season. A senior sugar industry executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, said traders estimate closing stocks at around 3.5 mt. With October consumption expected at about 2.4 mt, stocks could fall to just 1.1 mt by month-end, creating supply tightness in western and southern India if much of the inventory remains concentrated in UP, the executive said, adding that processing immature cane reduces sugar recovery, potentially creating supply pressure by May-June 2027....