Sugar prices rise again; check the current rate.

Sugar prices show no signs of dropping ahead of the Raksha Bandhan and Ganesh Chaturthi festivals. Prices increased again on Tuesday, adding to the concerns of ordinary consumers.

As festivals approach, sugar prices are rising instead of falling, causing distress among the general public. On Tuesday, retail sugar prices rose by approximately one rupee to reach around ₹64 per kilogram, up from an average of ₹63.05 per kilogram on Monday.

Rapidly rising prices

According to data from the Department of Consumer Affairs (Price Monitoring Division), the all-India average price of sugar on August 25 was ₹63.97 per kilogram—a 31% increase from ₹48.81 per kilogram a month earlier. Compared to August of last year, the price is 38% higher; a year ago, sugar was available at ₹46.31 per kilogram.

A PTI report citing available data stated that the maximum retail price of sugar on Monday was ₹76 per kilogram, while the ‘modal rate’ was ₹65 per kilogram. Government and sugar industry bodies noted that ex-mill prices have fallen over the last few days; however, this impact has yet to be reflected at the retail level.

Wholesale rates declining

Data indicates that the wholesale price of sugar on Monday was ₹59.23 per kilogram, 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 following the government’s decision to allow sugar imports and curb speculation and hoarding, the ex-mill price of sugar had dropped by 18% to ₹55 per kilogram. Last week, the ex-mill price had reached a record high of ₹67 per kilogram.

What steps has the government taken? With the aim of providing relief to the general public and curbing rising prices, the government has taken several major decisions, such as approving the import of sugar without duty. After a long interval, the government has sanctioned the duty-free import of 10 lakh metric tonnes (10 LMT) of raw sugar to boost domestic supplies.

Additionally, the government has imposed limits on sugar stocks. A stock limit of 400 tonnes has been set for sugar dealers. From September 1, large industrial consumers—such as bakeries and confectioners—will not be permitted to hold stocks exceeding 15 days’ worth of consumption.

To prevent the hoarding and black marketing of sugar, joint teams comprising central and state government officials are visiting mills to conduct physical verification of sugar stocks.