1 week ago
Food prices stable as pulses and cereals output rises
Food prices in India stayed mostly steady during the week ending 18 September.
Sugar became cheaper than it was the week before.
Several kinds of lentils and rice also became slightly cheaper.
Tur dal was one exception because its price increased a little.
Wheat, flour and most vegetables changed very little.
Officials said there are enough food supplies and stocks to help prevent sharp price rises.
Pulses and cereals were produced in larger amounts than the previous year.
This stability could help reduce pressure on overall inflation.
Retail food prices remained broadly stable in the week ended 18 September, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Sugar prices fell 2.37% to ₹58.55 per kilogram, while masoor dal and rice also declined.
Tur dal was the only major pulse listed to increase, rising 0.21% to ₹124.43 per kilogram.
Pulses production reached a record 27.4 million tonnes in 2025-26, while cereal output rose about 5%.
Experts attributed price stability to higher production, adequate stocks and comfortable food-supply conditions.
- Who
- The Department of Consumer Affairs, supported by comments from Rakesh Arrawatia of the Institute of Rural Management Anand.
- What
- Retail prices of key food commodities remained broadly stable, with several pulses, rice and sugar becoming cheaper.
- Where
- Across India, based on prices monitored at 579 centres nationwide.
- When
- During the week ended 18 September; production figures cited cover 2025-26.
- Why
- Higher pulses and cereals production, adequate stocks and stable supply conditions helped limit price pressures.
Key facts
- Sugar price
- ₹58.55 per kg on 18 September, down 2.37% from the previous week.
- Pulses production
- 27.4 million tonnes in 2025-26, up from 25.6 million tonnes a year earlier.
- Cereals production
- 349.1 million tonnes, compared with 332 million tonnes the previous year.
- Oilseed production
- Stable at 43 million tonnes.
- Inflation
- Retail inflation rose to 4.82% in August, a 20-month high.
- Price monitoring
- The Department of Consumer Affairs monitors 41 essential commodities across 579 centres.
- Highest listed food-price increase
- Palm oil rose 0.68% over the week to ₹152.52 per kg.
Quotes
Rakesh Arrawatia
Professor at the Institute of Rural Management Anand and Dean of its School of Cooperative Banking and Finance
“The decline in prices of several essential commodities, particularly masoor, sugar and rice, indicates that there is no broad-based supply pressure at present. Maintaining adequate stocks and monitoring market arrivals will be important to sustain this stability.”
livemint.com
“The current price trend points to a comfortable food-supply situation, with higher production of pulses and cereals and adequate stocks providing a buffer against price pressures.”
livemint.com
Sources
Related news
Sugar Prices Ease, But Retail Relief Lags Supply Chain
India Orders Sugar Mills to Report Data, Stabilize Prices
Sugar Mills Report Limited High-Price Sales, Lower Seasonal Realisation
Retail Sugar Prices Ease Ahead of Festive Season
Festive Sweet Prices Rise as Hyderabad Essentials Become Costlier
India Retail Inflation Rises in August as Food Prices Persist
NDTV World Summit 2026 to Explore a World Between Orders
EOW Files Chargesheet in 16-Year-Old JVG Fraud Case
Mamata’s INDIA Bloc Speech Draws Sonia Gandhi’s Applause
Indian banks forecast 18% FY28 earnings growth as margins expand
India Urges Naval Commanders To Maintain Combat Readiness
