Currently, sugar is one of the most discussed topics on social media due to the constant rise in prices. In recent days, there has been an acceleration in sugar price increases, reaching up to 65 rupees per kilogram in some cities. According to official data, sugar prices have increased by more than 20 percent over the past year. Since purchasing one kilogram of sugar requires significant financial expenditure, the question arises as to how much sugarcane is needed for its production. It is also interesting to know what volume of sugar can be obtained from 100 kilograms of sugarcane.
The answer to this question might be surprising. On average, about 9-10 kilograms of sugarcane may be required to produce one kilogram of sugar. This means that if 100 kilograms of sugarcane enter a sugar factory, approximately 9-10 kilograms of sugar are usually produced.
The most important aspect in sugar production is the sugar recovery rate, which determines the amount of sugar that can be extracted from the sugarcane. In India, this indicator averages around 10 percent. According to ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, the average sugar recovery in India during 2023-24 was about 10.3 percent. Simply put, from 100 kilograms of sugarcane, about 10 kilograms of sugar can be obtained on average, which explains the common assertion that about 10 kilograms of sugarcane are needed for 1 kilogram of sugar.
This is not always the case. The amount of sugar depends on many factors, such as the sugarcane variety, its sugar content, the quality of the sugarcane, and the efficiency of the sugar factory's operation. If the sugarcane quality is high and the sugar recovery is increased, more sugar can be obtained from a smaller amount of sugarcane. Conversely, with a low sugar recovery, more sugarcane may be required to produce one kilogram of sugar.
The question arises: what happens to the remaining part of the sugarcane if only about 10 kilograms of sugar are obtained from 100 kilograms? In fact, the remaining fibrous mass after juice extraction is called bagasse, and it is used in sugar factories to generate fuel and electricity. Additionally, syrup known as molasses is produced, which is used in the production of various other products. Thus, most of the sugarcane does not turn directly into sugar but is used for other purposes.
In conclusion, the next time you see a one-kilogram packet of sugar, remember that on average, 9-10 kilograms of sugarcane are behind it. That is, only about 10 kilograms of sugar are obtained from 100 kilograms of sugarcane, while the rest is also utilized in various fields.