Weekly Review – Sugar
23-May-2026 07:39 PM
Sugar Prices Improve Amidst Strong Industrial Demand
New Delhi: With severe heatwaves gripping most parts of the country, industrial demand for sugar has surged. Simultaneously, the allocation of a standard 'free sale quota' of 2.25 million tonnes has ensured that sugar mills face no significant pressure to offload their stocks. Consequently, during the week of May 16–22, an upward trend was recorded in sugar's mill-delivery rates, spot market prices, and tender values. The magnitude of this increase varied across regions.
Mill Delivery Rates
During the week under review, sugar's mill-delivery prices witnessed a rise of ₹20 per quintal each in Western Uttar Pradesh and Bihar; ₹30 per quintal each in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Punjab; ₹40–50 per quintal in Gujarat; and ₹65 per quintal in Madhya Pradesh.
Spot Market Rates
Sugar's spot market price remained stable in Delhi at ₹4,350–₹4,450 per quintal. However, prices rose by ₹75 in Indore to reach ₹4,300–₹4,400 per quintal; improved by ₹25 in Raipur to reach ₹4,200–₹4,250 per quintal; and edged up by ₹20 in Mumbai (Vashi) to reach ₹3,970–₹4,170 per quintal. In Kolkata, prices remained stable at the level of ₹4,300–₹4,500 per quintal. Sugar's 'Naka' (local depot) delivery price rose by ₹20, reaching ₹3,920–₹4,120 per quintal.
Tenders
In Maharashtra, sugar tender prices rose by ₹80–₹90 to reach ₹3,800–₹4,000 per quintal, while in Karnataka, they improved by ₹20–₹30 to reach ₹3,805–₹3,900 per quintal.
Export Restrictions
Apprehensions had been expressed that the government's sudden announcement of restrictions on sugar exports would negatively impact the market; however, this did not materialize.