New Delhi: The average retail price of sugar across India remained below ₹60 per kg for the fourth consecutive day on Monday, following a series of measures taken by the Centre to contain prices.
According to data maintained by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the average retail price stood at ₹59.57 per kg on Monday, up slightly from ₹58.99 per kg a day earlier. Prices fell below the ₹60-mark on Friday and have remained at lower levels since then.
However, Monday’s average price was still higher than the ₹58.23 per kg recorded on August 21, when the Centre first allowed sugar imports and introduced additional measures to control prices. The maximum and minimum retail prices remained unchanged at ₹85 and ₹40 per kg, respectively.
Among southern states, sugar prices increased in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, while Tamil Nadu and Kerala recorded marginal declines. In Andhra Pradesh, the average price rose from ₹49.58 per kg on August 21 to ₹55.56 per kg on Monday. Kerala saw an increase from ₹56.75 to ₹57.80 per kg during the same period.
Prices eased in major sugar-producing states. Maharashtra recorded a decline from ₹59 to ₹58.22 per kg, while Uttar Pradesh saw prices fall from ₹59.64 to ₹57.88 per kg.
Madhya Pradesh recorded a sharper decline, with the average retail price dropping from ₹62.36 to ₹56.57 per kg. In West Bengal, prices fell marginally from ₹60.95 to ₹60.43 per kg.
On August 21, the Centre permitted sugar imports and tightened stockholding rules for bulk consumers and dealers. The government has accused sugar mills of attempting to push up prices while maintaining that the country has adequate stocks to meet domestic demand.
At the same time, the government has lowered its sugar production estimate for the 2025-26 marketing year, which runs from October to September, to 306 lakh tonnes from its earlier estimate of 343 lakh tonnes. Annual domestic sugar consumption is estimated at around 280-285 lakh tonnes.
