Sugar

Best of BS Opinion: Sustainable strategy needed for sugar and ethanol

Today's Best of BS Opinion examines rising sugar prices, AI-led credit assessment, global trade dualism, mounting US fiscal risks and China's reshaping of collective memory.

Sugar should be expensive, people above 40 should avoid it: Vijayvargiya

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

Govt blames Red Rot, Top Borer disease, waterlogging for sugar price rise

No ethanol link to sugar price rise; millers jacking up rates, says govt

Sugar prices soar to ₹70 per kg ahead of festive season in West Bengal

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

Sugar stocks fall over 7% as govt's duty-free import move sparks price woes

Dwarikesh Sugar Industries was the top laggard, falling 7.2 per cent, followed by Dalmia Bharat, which fell 6.4 per cent intra-day and Balrampur Chini Mills, which fell over 5 per cent on Friday.

Centre caps sugar stocks; mills told to furnish three days' sale details

Centre caps sugar stocks held by bulk consumers at 15 days' requirement as prices hit record highs; mills must disclose buyer-wise sales for August 17-19

After a gap of almost 10 years, India may have to resort to sugar imports

India may import 1 mt of raw sugar at nil duty after a decade as low stocks and higher consumption push domestic prices to a record high ahead of the festival season

Govt weighs cutting sugar import duty to curb record local prices

Officials are weighing proposals to lower or scrap the 100% tax on inbound shipments in an effort to boost local supplies

FSSAI proposes new limits for high-fat, sugar and salt foods in schools

The new framework aims to identify foods high in added fat, sugar and salt, while setting clearer nutritional benchmarks for food available to schoolchildren

Govt orders sugar dealers to limit stocks to 30 days and 4,000 quintals

The government on Tuesday directed that no dealer of sugar should hold stock for more than 30 days and also imposed a stock limit of 4,000 quintals as part of its efforts to keep prices of sweetener under control. The order would come into force with effect from August 1, 2026, and would remain in force up to November 30, 2026. In a gazette notification, the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs imposed this restriction using powers under section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the Sugar (Control) Order, 2025. "...Central Government hereby directs that no dealer of sugar shall hold any stock for a period exceeding thirty days from the date of receipt of such stock and shall not keep sugar in stock at any time and in any place throughout the country in excess of 4,000 quintals," the notification said. To keep prices under check amid a forecast of a deficit monsoon, the Centre has already banned sugar exports. The order would not apply to sugar stocks held on the ...

Govt must carefully regulate sugar content in infant food items: Par Panel

The government should 'carefully regulate' sugar content in infant food products as well as conduct a minimum number of annual inspections, a Parliamentary panel said on Thursday. The raft of suggestions from the panel comes against the backdrop of concerns in certain quarters about the quality and sugar content in infant food products, which are generally considered as a supplement to breast milk. The committee has asked the government to conduct periodic scientific review of the sugar threshold limit in infant nutrition. It also directed the food regulator to accord 'priority enforcement status' for infant and baby food products, with a defined minimum percentage of annual inspections and sampling reserved for this segment. A Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has presented a report on 'Regulation of Packaged Commodities with Specific Reference to Sugar Content in Baby Products and other Food Products' in Parliament. "The Committee note that in

FSSAI needs to expedite nutrition-labelling rules: Parliamentary panel

A parliamentary panel on Thursday asked food regulator FSSAI to finalise 'Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling' regulations in a time-bound manner to ensure that consumers get to know nutritional information in a simple manner. A Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has presented a report on 'Regulation of Packaged Commodities with Specific Reference to Sugar Content in Baby Products and other Food Products' in Parliament. The panel was dismayed to note that the draft Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) regulations were notified on September 13, 2022, and that more than 14,000 stakeholder comments have been received, which are presently under examination and wider consultation. "The Committee observe that over two years have lapsed since the draft notification, and the continued delay in finalising the regulations has resulted in the absence of simplified and interpretative front-of-pack information, particularly in relation to sugar content," th

Sugar trade body calls shortage fears 'unwarranted', urges steady supplies

The All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) on Monday said that reports of a sugar shortage are unfounded, even as ex-factory prices rose about 15 per cent in less than a month, and urged its members to ensure steady availability of the sweetener across the country. In a communication to its 700 affiliated principal members and associations, AISTA said the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) and the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) had, on July 17, jointly clarified that the country has adequate sugar stocks to meet domestic demand. The sugar industry has also agreed to commence the 2026-27 season (October-September) at the earliest, depending on agro-climatic conditions, the association said. "The recent rise in ex-factory sugar prices -- about 15 per cent in less than a month -- has created an unwarranted impression of a shortage," AISTA Chairman Praful Vithalani said in the communication. He urged stakeholders across the sugar .

El Nino, rising ethanol demand may curb India's sugar exports for years

The twin pressures are poised to keep millions of tons of sugar off the world market, tightening supplies for importers across Asia, Africa and the West Asia

Fact-check Friday: Is brown sugar really healthier than white sugar?

Many people swap white sugar for brown sugar hoping to make a healthier choice. But does the switch actually help? Experts separate fact from fiction and explain what really matters

LPG crisis may reduce India's sugar consumption by 400K tonnes: ISMA chief

Centre rules out banning sugar exports; says no proposal to lower edible oil import duties

Bio-isobutanol can be India's answer to energy insecurity: Dilip Patil

As West Asia tensions strain energy supplies, industry backs bio-isobutanol blending in diesel to boost energy security without affecting mileage, using existing distilleries with minimal investment

Centre relaxes monthly sugar sales quota for March on subdued demand

The Centre has relaxed sugar dispatch norms for March 2026, allowing mills flexibility amid weak demand without penalties for missing quota targets

Sugar shares rally on hopes of higher ethanol blend amid West Asia crisis

Sugar stocks surged on expectations that rising crude oil prices amid the West Asia crisis may prompt the Centre to raise ethanol prices and increase the blending mandate from 20 per cent

India sugar output estimate for FY26 cut 5.57% on weak yields in top states

India's sugar production has been revised down 5.57 per cent to 32.40 million tonne for the 2025-26 marketing year, industry body ISMA said on Wednesday, citing lower yields in top producers Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The third advance estimate, released after an executive committee meeting, follows a second projection of 34.35 million tonnes. Output last year was 29.62 million tonnes. After diverting 3.1 million tonnes for ethanol, net availability will reach 29.3 million tonnes, up from 26.12 million tonnes in 2024-25. Including 5 million tonne opening stock, the total availability of 34.3 million tonne exceeds domestic consumption of 28.3 million tonne, ISMA said. ISMA forecast exports at 700,000 tonnes and closing stocks at 5.3 million tonnes. Net production in Maharashtra is estimated at 10.6 million tonne, Uttar Pradesh at 9.25 million tonne and Karnataka at 4.84 million tonne - all revised lower but above last year's levels. In Uttar Pradesh, lower yields stem from a .