Now Reading: Sugar ex-mill price drops 18% to Rs 55 after government curbs
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Sugar ex-mill price drops 18% to Rs 55 after government curbs
The ex-mill price of sugar has fallen 18 per cent to Rs 55 per kg after the government allowed imports and imposed stock limits to curb hoarding and speculation, Food Secretary Sanjeev…
The ex-mill price of sugar has fallen 18 per cent to Rs 55 per kg after the government allowed imports and imposed stock limits to curb hoarding and speculation, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said. Prices had hit a record Rs 67 per kg last week, a spike Chopra attributed to mills 'jacking up' rates. The government permitted the import of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar and ordered states to step up inspections.
National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories managing director Prakash Naiknavare said no state has ex-mill prices above Rs 55 per kg, and prices are expected to fall further. However, the drop has not yet reached consumers: the average all-India wholesale price was Rs 58.29 per kg on August 24, and the retail price stood at Rs 63.05 per kg, according to consumer affairs ministry data.
Under the new stock limits, traders cannot hold more than 8,000 quintals of sugar at one location for more than 30 days. The restrictions will be in force from August 1, 2026 to November 30, 2026. Traders must declare stock online on the food ministry portal.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The New Indian Express and Times of India largely relay the food secretary's account that mills 'jacked up' prices, while Deccan Herald and ABP Live report the government actions without attributing blame. ABP Live leads with the stock-limit rule and exempts PDS stock, a detail the others omit. The coverage uniformly credits the government's moves for the price drop, but the fact that retail prices have not yet fallen leaves the effectiveness of the intervention unproven. The gap between ex-mill and retail rates will test whether curbs alone cool consumer prices.
Coverage: 4 sources, 2 pro-government, 2 neutral
Sources (4): newindianexpress.com (pro government), deccanherald.com (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (pro government), news.abplive.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 4 sources.
