After the diversion of sugar for ethanol, mills produced 22.8 million tonnes of the sweetener between Oct. 1 and Feb. 15 compared with 22.2 million tonnes during the year-ago period, it said.

The association last month cut its 2022/23 output estimates by 7% from the previous forecast, as sugar cane yields in major producing states fell due to weather conditions.

Lower sugar output estimates have dampened export prospects from the world's biggest producer.

(Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)