New Delhi, July 31 -- India's sugar production is projected to rebound in the 2025-26 season, driven by higher cane acreage in Maharashtra and Karnataka, according to the millers' lobby.

Gross sugar production is estimated at 34.9 million tonnes this season against 29.5 million tonnes in 2024-25, an increase of 18%, according first preliminary projection by the Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA).

The net production will depend on the diversion of sugar for ethanol, which ISMA estimates to be around 5 million tonnes compared to 3.5 million tonnes in 2024-25, said Gautam Goel, president, ISMA. "If 5 million tonnes of sugar is diverted for producing ethanol then the net production would be around 30 million tonnes...