New Delhi : On Tuesday, the retail price of sugar rose by approximately one rupee to reach around ₹64 per kilogram. In some areas, sugar was even sold at a rate of ₹76 per kilogram.

The average price of sugar stood at ₹63.05 per kilogram on Monday. Although ex-mill prices have declined over the past few days, this trend has yet to reflect in the retail market.

According to the Price Monitoring Division of the Department of Consumer Affairs, the average price of sugar on August 25 was ₹63.97 per kilogram—a 31 percent increase from ₹48.81 per kilogram a month ago—whereas the average price a year ago was ₹46.31 per kilogram.

In the wholesale market, the price of sugar was ₹59.23 per kilogram on Monday, compared to ₹45.35 per kilogram a month ago and ₹43.01 per kilogram a year ago.

Earlier on Monday, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra stated that the country holds adequate sugar stocks. Following the government’s decision to permit sugar imports and curb speculation and hoarding, ex-mill sugar prices have dropped by 18 percent to ₹55 per kilogram.

Prices are expected to fall further in the coming days. Last week, the ex-mill price of sugar had touched a record high of ₹67 per kilogram.

According to the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), sugar production for the 2025-26 marketing year (October-September) is projected at approximately 279 lakh tonnes (after accounting for diversion towards ethanol), with an opening stock of 50 lakh tonnes. Annual domestic demand is estimated to be between 280 and 285 lakh tonnes. Stock levels are projected to stand at 3.5 million tonnes by the end of September. Total sugar production for the current marketing year is estimated at 30.9 million tonnes.

Prakash Naiknavare, Managing Director of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF), stated that the ex-mill price of sugar does not exceed ₹55 per kilogram in any state across the country. Flying squads have been deployed nationwide to curb hoarding.

Addressing the sugar industry’s concerns regarding delays in the arrival of import consignments, the government has extended the deadline for processing and selling imported raw sugar in the domestic market to two months from the date of the sugar’s arrival in India.

While permitting the import of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar to boost local supplies and keep prices in check, the government had initially directed importers to process the raw sugar and sell it in the domestic market by October 31.

However, during a recent meeting, the sugar industry informed the concerned ministries that this deadline was not feasible. They cited congestion at Brazilian ports and the 40-day transit time required for shipments to reach India.

In light of this, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued an amendment on August 24 to its August 20 notification, extending the deadline for the processing and sale of imported raw sugar. NFCSF Managing Director Prakash Naiknavare has welcomed this move.

Report – Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)