Sugar Prices Ease After Sharp Rise; Retail Rates in Pune Drop to Rs 63/kg

Pune, 25th August 2026: After a sharp rise in domestic sugar prices last week raised concerns over household budgets, prices have started declining, with retail rates in Pune falling to Rs 63 per kg on Monday from a high of Rs 69.

Industry experts attributed the decline to steps taken by the Central government to curb hoarding and stabilise prices. Authorities have begun physical inspections of sugar stocks held by mills. Stock limits have also been imposed on industrial buyers, including soft drink, biscuit, chocolate and ice-cream manufacturers, which account for nearly 65% of total sugar consumption.

Special flying squads have also been formed to inspect traders’ warehouses and prevent hoarding.

Meanwhile, B.B. Thombre, president of the Western Maharashtra Sugar Mills Association (WISMA), said the situation could ease further once sugar mills begin crushing operations from October 15.

Sugar prices had crossed Rs 7,000 per quintal for the first time before easing to around Rs 5,500 within three days. Some millers expect prices to fall further to around Rs 5,000 per quintal.

National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories president Prakash Naiknavare said the rise in prices was artificial and dismissed claims that large quantities of sugarcane were being diverted towards ethanol production.

“Sugar prices have been declining for the past two days. The government’s measures are helping stabilise prices, and a further decline cannot be ruled out,” he said.