Sugar prices rise, inflation brings bitterness to sweetness

Raipur. India ranks second in the world in sugar production. This is why sugar prices typically hover around ₹34 in wholesale and ₹38 in retail. However, over the past year, prices have been steadily rising. Now, while high-quality sugar is now priced at ₹44 to ₹45 per kg in wholesale, its retail price has reached ₹48. There has been a long-standing demand to increase the support price for sugar. The support price will rise further after the increase. Since 2019, the support price has remained at ₹31.

Sugar is a commodity no household can do without. Sugar is commonly used in every household to make tea and coffee, but it is also used in home-made sweet dishes. Sugar prices have long been hovering around ₹32 to ₹34 in wholesale and ₹36 to ₹38 in retail in the open market, but now its prices are steadily rising.

For a long time, sugar producers and farmers across the country have been demanding an increase in the support price. According to sugar producers, production costs are constantly rising, yet the support price has remained unchanged for six years. Only by increasing the support price will sugar factories be able to pay farmers the outstanding dues for their sugarcane. According to experts, the support price has been ₹31 since 2019. The central government has also indicated an increase. Following the increase in the support price, it is likely that sugar prices may rise further.