Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Centre Sets October Sugar Sales Quota Ahead Of Dussehra
The government has decided how much sugar mills can sell in the first half of October.
It has allowed 14 lakh tonnes of sugar to be sold in the domestic market.
This decision comes just before the Dussehra festival on October 20.
Officials and experts expect the extra availability to help cool sugar prices.
Mills must sell nearly half of their assigned amount during the first week.
They must sell the rest during the second week.
Mills that begin crushing sugarcane in October can sell more sugar during October and November.
The total sugar allocation for the year is smaller than the amount people are expected to consume.
The Centre allocated 14 lakh tonnes of sugar for domestic sales from October 1 to 15, including 1 lakh tonne for standalone refiners.
Mills must sell at least 45% of their allocation in the first week and the remainder in the second week.
Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka received 10.77 lakh tonnes, or 83% of the 13 lakh tonnes allocated to mills nationwide.
Mills beginning crushing in October may sell additional sugar during October and November beyond their fortnightly quota.
The 2025-26 annual allocation is 272 lakh tonnes, below estimated domestic consumption of 285-290 lakh tonnes.
- Who
- The Indian government, sugar mills and standalone refiners.
- What
- The government allocated 14 lakh tonnes of sugar for domestic sales during October 1-15.
- When
- The allocation covers October 1-15; the order was published on September 30, 2026, ahead of Dussehra on October 20.
- Where
- India, with the largest mill allocations going to Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.
- Why
- The allocation is viewed by experts as an effort to increase availability and cool retail sugar prices ahead of Dussehra.
- October 1-15 quota
- 14 lakh tonnes, including 1 lakh tonne for standalone refiners
- First-week requirement
- Mills must sell at least 45% of their allocation in the first week
- Top three states
- Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka received 10.77 lakh tonnes combined
- State allocations
- Maharashtra: 4.39 lakh tonnes; Uttar Pradesh: 4.18 lakh tonnes; Karnataka: 2.20 lakh tonnes
- Refiner allocations
- Shree Renuka Sugars and Shri Dutt India each received 50,000 tonnes
- Annual 2025-26 allocation
- 272 lakh tonnes, compared with 275.5 lakh tonnes in 2024-25
- Estimated annual consumption
- 285-290 lakh tonnes