Why sugar industry shifting from northern to peninsular India?

Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were top sugar producing states once upon a time. However, they have lost their position to states such as Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The sugar industry of India is gradually shifting from north India to peninsular India because of several better conditions prevailing there. These include:

• The tropical climate of Peninsular India results in higher yield per unit hectare of land
• Higher sucrose content in peninsular cane
• Long crushing season in south. In North India, it lasts from November to February (4 months); while in South it lasts from October to May or even June (nearly 8 months)

The mills in peninsular India are larger. Though Uttar Pradesh has more sugar mills than Maharashtra yet Maharashtra’s sugar mills are larger in size & Capacity. Further, the mills in cooperative sector in south are better managed.