Mills Urged to Ensure Adequate Sugar Supply at Reasonable Prices

New Delhi: The Central Government has asked sugar mills across the country to ensure adequate supply and availability of sugar at reasonable prices during the festive season to provide relief to ordinary consumers.

In view of the sharp spike in sugar prices to record levels in August, the Ministry of Food released a substantial 'free-sale' quota of 1.3 million tonnes for the first fortnight of September. The quota for the second fortnight (September 16–30) is also expected to be announced soon.

Although the domestic industry holds limited sugar stocks, the government remains confident that the supply situation will remain comfortable—especially during the festive season—due to the ban on exports,

the permission granted for the duty-free import of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar, and the anticipated start of sugarcane crushing in mid-October. This time, restrictions may be imposed on the use of sugarcane juice and B-heavy molasses for ethanol production to maximize sugar output.