Sugar prices surge during festive season, reach ₹70 in retail markets

The general public has been hit hard by inflation ahead of the arrival of the holy festival of Diwali. Sugar consumption is highest in homes and sweet shops during the festive season, but at this very time, a major surge in sugar prices has been observed in the market. This price hike has had a direct impact on the monthly budgets of middle-class families and housewives.

Diwali will be celebrated across the country on November 8, 2026. Just 4 days before this festival, sugar prices in the market have increased significantly. According to a report by ABP Asmita, there has been a steep increase of more than ₹4 per kg in sugar prices within the short span of the last one month. In some of the country's retail markets, sugar prices have reached the figure of ₹70 per kg.

Looking at the official figures released by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the average retail price of sugar across the country has increased to ₹59.50 per kg. Meanwhile, in the country's main wholesale markets, the average price is seen at the level of ₹55.40 per kg. Demand for sweets and delicacies has increased excessively during the festivals, but prices are continuously rising due to low supply of sugar in the market.

If compared with the market trends of the last one year, the situation appears more worrying. Exactly one year ago, the average price of sugar in the country's retail market was ₹46.50 per kg, while in the wholesale market, it was sold at a price of ₹43.23 per kg. Thus, in the period of the last 12 months, there has been a massive increase of approximately ₹12 to ₹13 per kg in sugar prices.

Sugar prices have also skyrocketed in the country's metro cities. According to the rates recorded on November 3, 2026, sugar is most expensive in Kolkata, where the price has reached ₹65 per kg, compared to ₹50 a year ago. In the capital Delhi, sugar is being sold at ₹64 per kg, which was ₹46 last year. In the financial capital Mumbai, the price has also increased to ₹61 per kg, which was previously ₹45.

According to agricultural experts, both local and global reasons are responsible for sugar becoming expensive. This year, the sugarcane crop faced adverse weather and various diseases, due to which the overall production of sugarcane and sugar has been much lower than the previous season. Production has decreased in the local market, and on the other hand, there has been a tremendous surge in demand from sweet producers due to festivals, which has disrupted the supply chain.

The situation is not favourable at the international level either. Pressure has been created in the global market due to low availability of sugar in many producing countries of the world. Additionally, freight transport and trade have been affected due to the ongoing war and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Taking advantage of this situation, some profiteering traders have started illegal hoarding of sugar, which has created an artificial shortage in the market.

The government has claimed to have made several efforts to keep sugar prices under control. To maintain supply in the market, stock limits were set for traders and permission was also given to import as per requirement. Along with this, special monitoring of stocks and daily prices was arranged to prevent hoarding, but all these efforts have proven inadequate against the price hike.