Specific instructions for buyers to lift sugar within 7 days

17-Aug-2026 07:00 PM

New Delhi. In view of the festive season, the Union Ministry of Food has initiated strict measures to ensure smooth sugar supply and availability in the domestic market and to curb price surges. Under these measures, sugar mills have been directed to ensure that buyers lift the purchased stock within seven days. A new order issued by the Ministry states that this decision comes into effect immediately and remains valid until November 1, 2026. The Ministry had also issued an order on August 13 requiring all sugar mills to compile bulk sales data for the 2025-26 period, which would provide a clear picture of stock levels.

According to the Ministry of Food, it has been observed that some mills hold sugar stocks in the market exceeding the quantities reported in 'P2' forms. Certain mills are selling quantities of sugar that are lower than their allocated monthly quotas. A special drive for the physical verification of sugar stocks, recently conducted by the Directorate of Sugar and Vegetable Oils (from August 1 to 14), also confirmed this discrepancy.

The Ministry of Food has warned that strict legal action will be taken against any mill providing incorrect or misleading information regarding sugar stocks. The Ministry noted instances where mills sell sugar at the beginning of the month, but buyers lift the stock only at the end of the month, creating an artificial shortage of sugar in the market. Buyers are now required to lift the sugar stock within seven days of purchase.