Top 5 Sugar Producing States in India in 2026

India is one of the major sugar producers in the world, with Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat being some of the leading states for the production of sugar in India in 2026. Sugarcane production has great significance for the rural economy of India, and millions of farmers depend on it.

India is expected to produce about 30.6 million tons of sugar in 2026, which makes India the second-biggest sugar producer in the world after Brazil. The biggest sugar-producing state of India is Maharashtra, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

Top 5 Sugar Producing States in India

The following are the top five sugar-producing states in India in 2026,

Rank	State	Major Sugarcane-Growing Regions
1	Maharashtra	Western Maharashtra, Marathwada
2	Uttar Pradesh	Ganga-Yamuna Doab, Terai belt
3	Karnataka	Belagavi, Bagalkot, Mandya
4	Tamil Nadu	Cauvery Delta, Coimbatore, Salem
5	Gujarat	Surat, Navsari, Saurashtra

Top Sugar Producing States

1. Maharashtra

Maharashtra is the largest sugar producing state in India in 2026, with sugar production at about 9.92 million tonnes, or 99.20 lakh metric tonnes (LMT).

Major sugarcane growing areas in Maharashtra include Pune, Solapur, Ahmednagar and Kolhapur, along with others in Western Maharashtra and Marathwada. The state’s favorable climate, sugarcane cultivation and strong network of sugar mills have ensured its dominance.

With about 210 sugar mills, Maharashtra has one of the best sugar processing networks in the country. The high recovery of sugar from sugarcane is another factor behind its huge sugar production.

2. Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is the second largest sugar producer in India with sugar production of about 8.92 million tonnes in 2026.

Sugarcane production in the state takes place mainly in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab and Terai belt. Favorable soil conditions, irrigation and large area under sugarcane cultivation ensure good production of sugar.

Districts in western part of the state are significant contributors in India’s sugar production. Perennial water source, new varieties of sugarcane and a network of sugar mills ensure the dominance of Uttar Pradesh in sugar production in India.

3. Karnataka

Karnataka is the third largest sugar producing state in India. Sugarcane growing regions include Belagavi, Bagalkot and Mandya.

Climate of the state and its irrigation facilities, along with existing sugar industry have contributed to the development of cultivation of sugarcane. Karnataka is also one of the important centers of processing of sugarcane for sugar and ethanol production.

4. Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is ranked fourth in sugar producing states of India in 2026. Main sugarcane growing regions of the state are Cauvery Delta, Coimbatore and Salem.

Agricultural potential of the state and its irrigation facilities provide favorable conditions for cultivation of sugarcane, whereas sugar mills of Tamil Nadu make significant contribution to the processing industry.

Production of ethanol is also linked to the cultivation of sugarcane and its by products in Tamil Nadu.

5. Gujarat

Gujarat occupies the fifth place in sugar production ranking of India. Main sugarcane growing regions are Surat, Navsari and some parts of Saurashtra.

Cultivation of sugarcane is especially popular in the southern part of Gujarat, where favorable climatic conditions and irrigation facilities promote growth of the crop. Gujarat is also known for its cooperative sugar industry.

Sugar Production Depends on What?

The level of sugar production does not only depend on how much sugarcane is harvested but is also affected by the rate of sugar recovery. This is simply the percentage of sugar that can be recovered from the processed sugarcane.

Such factors as weather conditions, irrigation, the quality of the soil, types of sugarcane, growing methods and efficiency of sugar mills can affect this.