NEW DELHI: India has produced 4.6 million tonnes of sugar between October 1 and December 15, the Indian Sugar Mills Association, a producers' body said on Monday, up 17.9 per cent year-on-year.

Sugar mills in India, the world's top consumer and the biggest producer behind Brazil, churned out 3.9 million tonnes during the year-ago period.

Higher output could boost the chances of more sugar exports by the government which has already allowed one million tonnes of overseas sales in the 2011/12 season. India's sugar season starts from October 1.