New Delhi:- Despite steps being taken by the government to ease the shortage of supply during the festive season, sugar prices in both retail and wholesale markets have increased by more than Rs 4 per kg over the past month.
According to data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the daily average retail and wholesale prices have been recorded at Rs 59.50 per kg and Rs 55.40 per kg, respectively.
On a year-on-year basis, prices have surged by Rs 12 to Rs 13 per kg. A year ago, retail sugar was priced at Rs 46.50 per kg, while the wholesale price stood at Rs 43.23 per kg. Among metropolitan cities, Kolkata recorded the highest retail price at Rs 65 per kg on November 3, compared with Rs 50 per kg a year ago. This was followed by Delhi at Rs 64 per kg (Rs 46 a year ago) and Mumbai at Rs 61 per kg (Rs 45 a year ago).
The main reason behind the price rise is that production in 2025-26 is expected to be lower than earlier estimates. Festive demand, crop damage, lower global supply and hoarding have further intensified the pressure. In response, the government has taken steps such as imposing stock limits, allowing imports, strengthening monitoring and starting sugarcane crushing operations early.
The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd. stated on Monday that India produced 8.45 lakh tonnes of sugar during the first month of the 2026-27 season (October-September).
The sugarcane crushing season began on October 8, and by October 30, a total of 152 mills had started sugar production. This has increased domestic supply during the ongoing festive season.
