Sugar production in the current season 2019-20 (October to September), which started from October 1, 2019, is estimated to be only 280 to 290 lakh tonnes as compared to 331 lakh tonnes produced in the country last year.   According to a senior Food Ministry official, according to information received from sugarcane producing states, sugar production is expected to decline by 12 to 13 per cent in the current crushing season. In the current season, sugarcane crop has been damaged due to drought and floods in Maharashtra, hence sugar production in Maharashtra will remain low.Maharashtra produced 107 lakh tonnes of sugar last year, while in the current crushing season sugar production in the state is expected to decrease by about 40 lakh tonnes compared to last year. Karnataka is also expected to reduce its sugar production estimates in the current crushing season.   He said that sugar mills have started crushing of sugarcane partially, but the crushing of sugarcane is expected to pick up from November 15 itself.   Source- Outlook agriculture, 24 october 2019