New Delhi: Sugar prices at both the mill delivery and spot markets have been under continuous pressure for the past two to three weeks. Mills have ample stocks of sugar available for sale, and supply and availability in the open market remain easy, while demand is weak. Buyers are not showing any urgency in purchasing sugar. It appears that the free sale quota of 2.2 million tonnes of sugar released for January 2026 is weighing heavily on the industry and trade.

During the week of January 3-9, mill delivery prices of sugar declined by ₹40 per quintal in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, ₹20 in Punjab, ₹10 in Western Uttar Pradesh, and ₹10-60 per quintal in Gujarat.

While spot market prices of sugar remained stable at previous levels of ₹4400/4450 per quintal in Delhi and ₹3975/4050 per quintal in Indore, they fell by ₹20 to ₹3920/4000 per quintal in Raipur, by ₹20 to ₹3750/3890 per quintal in Mumbai (Vashi), and by ₹75-80 to ₹4125/4400 per quintal in Kolkata. The Naka port delivery price of sugar also declined by ₹20 to ₹3700/3840 per quintal.

Sugar tender prices improved by ₹20-25 per quintal in Maharashtra but fell by up to ₹80 per quintal in Karnataka.

It is expected that the demand and price of sugar will see some increase due to the Makar Sankranti and Pongal festivals, but this increase may be limited due to the abundant stock available in the market.

Sugar consumption is expected to increase after Makar Sankranti when the wedding season begins. Currently, weak industrial demand is keeping sugar prices under pressure. Sugar production is increasing.