New Delhi, April 17 -- India has produced approximately 238 lakh tonnes of sugar, with around 200 sugar mills (38 per cent of the total mills) still operational as of April 15, Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association said in a statement Thursday.

Sugar marketing season in India runs from October to September.

Around 35 lakh tons of sugar is expected to be diverted towards ethanol production this year, against last year's estimated diversion of 21.5 lakh tonnes.

Around 22 factories are still operational in Uttar Pradesh. Out of which around 16 factories are operating in West UP.

"Owing to the improved yield of plant cane, cane availability has improved in the state of UP and these factories are expected to remain in opera...