Free-Sale Sugar Quota of 14 Lakh Tonnes Fixed for the First 15 Days of October

New Delhi: Anticipating a surge in demand and consumption during the peak festive month, the Union Ministry of Food has allocated a substantial free-sale sugar quota of 14 lakh tonnes for mills across the country for the first 15 days of October. This figure exceeds both the 13 lakh tonnes allocated for the first half of September and the 13.50 lakh tonnes allocated for the latter half of that month.

It is noteworthy that several festivals will be celebrated across the country during the first fortnight of October, likely keeping domestic sugar demand robust. *Pitar Paksh* continues until October 10, followed by the commencement of *Navratri*. The substantial 14-lakh-tonne free-sale quota announced for this period is expected not only to meet demand and requirements but also to exert downward pressure on prices. The government aims to ensure the adequate supply and availability of sugar at reasonable prices for the general public during the festive season.

Concerned by the surge in sugar prices to an all-time high in August, the government took precautionary measures by releasing a massive total free-sale quota of 26.50 lakh tonnes for the entire month of September, which helped bring prices down. For comparison, free-sale quotas of 28.50 lakh tonnes and 24 lakh tonnes were announced for September 2025 and October 2025, respectively, while the allocation for October 2024 stood at 25.50 lakh tonnes.

Domestic demand and consumption of sugar typically rise during the periods of *Navratri*, *Durga Puja*, and *Dussehra*. The same will happen this time as well; therefore, despite the massive quota of 1.4 million tonnes, a sharp drop in sugar prices seems unlikely. A balance between supply and demand is expected to be maintained.