- In the last 2 weeks of June, a months’ worth of rain fell across Maharashtra.
- This means Monsoon rains to date have returned to normal levels.
- Key irrigation reservoirs have been empty for 3 months so we still estimate India production down 5m tonnes YoY.
- Monsoon rainfall is now within normal levels throughout most of the key cane areas in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra – Monsoon Rainfall
Key Sugarcane Areas
- However, key cane irrigation reservoirs have been dry for 3 months and remain low despite the recent rainfall.
- Therefore, we still expect a 40% production decrease in Maharashtra (4m tonnes) since last year.
- This means India will produce 29m tonnes in 19/20, above India’s 26m tonnes consumption.
- Stocks will build further and put more pressure on the Indian Government to launch an export programme.
