1 week ago
Bengal Sugar Prices Soar to Rs 70 Ahead of Festivities
Sugar has become much more expensive in Kolkata, costing Rs 70 for one kilogram.
Its price increased by Rs 20 in one month.
Traders said it rose another 10 per cent in only four or five days.
Jaggery and some sugar sweets have also become more expensive.
The Centre allowed sugar mills to import one million tonnes of raw sugar.
It also limited how much sugar large buyers can store.
Traders said ethanol production and lower sugar production in Brazil are adding pressure.
A West Bengal minister said hoarding was the main reason instead.
Sweet makers warned that their products could cost more if sugar stays expensive.
Kolkata retail sugar prices reached Rs 70 per kg, rising Rs 20 over the past month.
Traders reported a further 10 per cent increase during the last four to five days.
Jaggery, batasa and nakuldana prices also rose ahead of the September-November festive season.
The Centre approved imports of one million tonnes of raw sugar and limited large buyers’ stocks to 15 days’ consumption.
Traders cited ethanol diversion and lower Brazilian production, while minister Dilip Ghosh blamed hoarding.
- Who
- Kolkata consumers, traders, sugar mills, bulk sugar buyers and sweetmeat makers are affected; CWBTA president Sushil Poddar and West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh gave differing explanations.
- What
- Retail sugar prices rose to Rs 70 per kg, while jaggery, batasa and nakuldana also became dearer.
- Where
- Kolkata markets and wider West Bengal.
- When
- Prices rose over the past month, including a 10 per cent jump during the four to five days before Friday; the increase comes ahead of the September-November festive season.
- Why
- Reported factors include ethanol diversion, lower Brazilian production, possible hoarding and lower projected sugar inventories.
Trader and Market Concerns
Minister and Mill Explanation
Cause of the price rise
Trader and Market Concerns
CWBTA president Sushil Poddar and traders cited diversion of sugar to ethanol, higher blending and lower Brazilian production as factors. Poddar also said sugar mills lacked adequate controls.
Minister and Mill Explanation
West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh blamed hoarding rather than ethanol blending. An official from a leading sugar mill said crushing ended in April and mills were now releasing existing stocks, leaving little more they could do.
Whether imports will solve the problem
Trader and Market Concerns
Poddar said the approved import of one million tonnes would cover only about a fortnight of domestic demand and called for further intervention. Traders said the measure had not yet reduced retail prices.
Minister and Mill Explanation
The Centre approved the imports and imposed a 15-day stockholding limit on large bulk consumers as measures to address supply pressure.
Key facts
- Kolkata retail price
- Rs 70 per kg
- Monthly price increase
- Rs 20 per kg
- Recent price increase
- 10 per cent in four to five days
- Wholesale price
- About Rs 65 per kg
- Approved raw-sugar imports
- One million tonnes
- Bulk stock limit
- 15 days’ consumption for customers using more than 10 tonnes monthly
- Projected September 2026 closing stock
- About 4.3 million tonnes, compared with 5.3 million tonnes the previous year
Quotes
Neighbourhood kirana store owner
A local Kolkata grocery store owner describing the rapid retail price increase.
“The sudden sugar price spike ahead of the festival season, between September and November, is a matter of concern. The government allowing import of one million tonnes of raw sugar will not be enough to stem the rise, and more interventions are needed”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
telegraphindia.com
“There is no control on sugar mills. Wholesale prices have already shot up to Rs 65 a kg, and retail prices will reach about Rs 70 a kg. Diversion to ethanol is one of the key reasons. Moreover, higher blending is also damaging vehicles now.”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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