Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Kharge Questions Sugar Price Spike; BJP Cites Production Data
Mallikarjun Kharge asked questions about why sugar prices are rising.
He also questioned whether ethanol production is reducing the sugar supply.
The BJP’s response said the main causes are lower production and smaller stocks.
Amit Malviya said most ethanol came from sources other than sugarcane.
Only 18.21% came from sugarcane juice, syrup or sugar.
Maize supplied 35.53%, while surplus FCI rice supplied 25.55%.
Malviya said ethanol diversion is already counted when calculating available sugar.
He said prices depend on the sugar left after diversion, exports and required reserves.
Mallikarjun Kharge raised three questions about rising sugar prices and the role of ethanol blending.
BJP’s response attributed price pressure to lower sugar production and reduced stocks.
Amit Malviya said only 18.21% of ethanol procurement in ESY 2025-26 came from sugarcane juice, syrup or sugar.
He said the remaining 81.79% came from other feedstocks, including maize and surplus FCI rice.
Malviya argued that blaming ethanol again would double count diversion already included in domestic sugar availability calculations.
- Who
- Mallikarjun Kharge raised questions, and Malviya gave the BJP’s response.
- What
- The exchange concerned rising sugar prices and whether ethanol production is contributing to a sugar shortage.
- When
- The figures cited apply to Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26.
- Why
- Kharge questioned the ethanol link to sugar prices, while Malviya said lower production and stocks were the main sources of price pressure.
Congress’s Questions
BJP’s Response
Role of ethanol in sugar prices
Congress’s Questions
Mallikarjun Kharge questioned whether ethanol production is linked to the sugar price spike and possible supply pressure.
BJP’s Response
Malviya said attributing the pressure to E20 goes against the data.
Main cause of the price pressure
Congress’s Questions
The Congress side raised ethanol’s role as an issue requiring explanation.
BJP’s Response
Malviya attributed the pressure to falling production and stocks.
Accounting for diverted sugar
Congress’s Questions
The questions focused on whether diversion for ethanol reduces sugar availability.
BJP’s Response
Malviya said diversion is already netted out in domestic sugar availability calculations, so blaming it again would amount to double counting.
- Issue
- Rising sugar prices and the possible effect of ethanol diversion
- Ethanol from sugarcane sources
- 18.21% of procurement in ESY 2025-26
- Ethanol from other feedstocks
- 81.79% of procurement in ESY 2025-26
- Maize share
- 35.53% of ethanol procurement
- Surplus FCI rice share
- 25.55% of ethanol procurement
- BJP explanation
- Price pressure stems from lower sugar production and stocks
- Malviya’s accounting argument
- Ethanol diversion is already included in domestic sugar availability calculations