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Sugar prices remained above Rs 60 per kg in most retail markets across the country on Sunday, despite several steps taken by the government to check the price rise, according to official data. The Consumer Affairs Ministry data showed that the all-India average retail price of sugar was Rs 64.24 per kg on Sunday, up 1.77 per cent from Rs 63.12 per kg a week earlier. The current price is 30 per cent higher than a month ago and 38.63 per cent higher than the same period last year. The maximum retail price recorded was Rs 74 per kg, while the minimum was Rs 40 per kg, as on August 30. City-wise, retail sugar was selling at Rs 62 per kg in Delhi, Rs 66 per kg in Mumbai, Rs 63 per kg in Chennai and Rs 68 per kg in Ranchi. Wholesale prices also stayed firm at Rs 59.73 per kg, up 31 per cent month-on-month and 38.63 per cent year-on-year. price was Rs 58.66 per kg a week ago. The elevated retail and wholesale prices come even as ex-mill rates have declined nearly 20 per cent following the
Amid criticism by opposition parties over rising prices of sugar ahead of festivals, Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday said it should in fact become very expensive, and added that people above 40 years of age should completely avoid its consumption. Ninety per cent of the people do not like sweets these days, he said, adding that he himself does not eat such items. Talking to reporters here, the BJP leader claimed that the prices of sugar were steadily falling. "Anyway, 90 per cent of people don't like sweets these days. Let me tell you, I don't eat sweets at all," he said. In a lighter vein, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, "I say that (sugar) should become very expensive. (Sugar) should only be available at cheap rates at government fair price shops for children...The elderly should not be given sugar at all." He said that doctors, especially Ayurvedic ones, do not consider it a good idea for people over 40 year of age to consume sugar. "If you a
Retail sugar prices have shot up to Rs 70 per kg in Kolkata markets ahead of the festive season, traders said on Friday. Prices have surged by Rs 20 a kg in the past month alone, while the last four to five days have seen a sudden 10 per cent jump, they said. Sugar-associated products such as jaggery, batasa (sugar drop), and nakuldana are also witnessing a similar spike. The Centre on Thursday evening allowed sugar mills to import one million tonne of raw sugar, a measure last resorted to a decade ago, but its impact is yet to trickle down to retail markets, traders said. The government has also imposed a stockholding limit on bulk customers who consume more than 10 tonne of sugar a month, capping their stock at 15 days' consumption. Confederation of West Bengal Trade Association (CWBTA) president Sushil Poddar said there was no control over sugar mills, with wholesale prices already touching Rs 65 a kg. "I sold loose sugar at Rs 65 just three days ago, but today I can't sell bel
India, the world's leading sugar producing country, may export up to 8 lakh tonnes of sugar, lower than the permitted quota of 10 lakh tonnes in the 2024-25 season ending September, a top government official said on Thursday. So far, the country has shipped 3 lakh tonnes of sugar and about 60,000 tonnes is at ports for shipment, a senior food ministry official said. Addressing a press conference, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said, "We will export 8 lakh tonnes out of the total quota permitted." The food ministry has estimated a total sugar output of 26 lakh tonnes in the ongoing 2024-25 season and much of it has already been produced by mills. The country had restricted exports entirely in the previous 2023-24 season due to domestic supply concerns. In January, the exports were permitted for the current season.