<p>The study aims to estimate structural breaks, trends in sugarcane area, production and productivity and correlate the changes in sugarcane prices on sugarcane agrodata. The study was based on the secondary data collected for sugarcane area, production and productivity (1950–2018) and sugar prices (1949–2014). The data was analysed for trends, and fitted with regression models to analyse the trends over time, and the break points were estimated using Petitt’s test. Results from the study indicates that, the area under sugarcane in seven states was on significantly decreasing and in nine states the trend was in significantly increasing. The production was significantly on increasing trend in nine states and India, and productivity found to be on significantly increasing trend in all the states except in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The area statistics of OR (-3.11), BR (-2.72) showed significant negative trends whereas MP (+ 3.263) showed significant positive trends, however post autocorrelation checks their effects were found to be non-significant, meanwhile the production in BR (+ 2.636) found to have inclined towards serial correlation (Z_c- +1.47) and the data of Assam in productivity found to be affected with autocorrelations. The structural break point analysis for Area showed that the seven states were on downward shift whereas nine states were on upward shift and in production most of the states except three states experienced upward shift and the productivity across fourteen states showed significant upward shift. This study gives clear idea about the trends and future perspectives of sugarcane attributes which helps in policy implications such as taking decisions on import, export, price volatility of sugar, decision on support price for farmers and impact of sugar prices on production of sugarcane in India.</p> Graphical Abstract <p>The graphical abstract summarizes the overall picture of sugarcane trends across 16 states and India. This study analyses structural breaks and trends in sugarcane area, production, and productivity (1950–2018) across Indian states, correlating with sugar price fluctuations (1949–2014). Using Pettitt’s test and Mann-Kendall analysis, significant declines in area (Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar) and production (Assam, Odisha, Punjab) were identified. Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh face persistent low productivity, highlighting the need for resilient crop varieties. Price volatility directly impacts cultivation decisions. Policy measures include real time price monitoring, promoting high-yield varieties, targeted area expansion in declining regions, and adopting sustainable practices to boost productivity and farmer incomes. Findings underscore the urgency of adaptive strategies to stabilize sugarcane agro-systems amid economic and environmental challenges.</p> <p></p>