More Stories

Informist, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026

 

By Afra Abubacker

 

NEW DELHI – Ex-mill prices of sugar were largely steady in the key markets of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday after rising on the previous day. On Monday, sugar prices had increased on expectations of a hike in the minimum selling price, traders said.

 

"Market is flat today in both Kolhapur and Mumbai," Mukesh Kuvadia, secretary of the Bombay Sugar Merchants Association, said. Mills raised sugar prices by INR 20 per 100 kilograms on Monday, anticipating higher minimum selling prices. "Market is waiting for the government to announce a higher MSP," Kuvadia said. 

 

On Friday, ChiniMandi, a sugar trade media, reported that the government is likely to hike the minimum selling price of sugar "soon", adding that it could be raised to INR 37.50–INR 38.00 per kg. Currently, the minimum selling price of sugar is INR 31 per kg, unchanged since February 2019.

 

In Uttar Pradesh, average prices of M-grade and S-grade sugar varieties were largely steady at INR 3,930 per 100 kg and INR 3,900 per 100 kg, respectively, an analyst at MEIR Commodities said. 

 

The sugar industry has been urging the government to hike the minimum selling price of sugar, citing higher sugarcane prices. In addition, increased sugar production in the ongoing season is weighing on prices, according to market participants.

 

The following are the highlights of sugar prices in the domestic market:

--M-grade sugar flat at INR 3,880-INR 4,050 per 100 kg in Uttar Pradesh

--Flat at INR 3,900-INR 3,992 per 100 kg in Mumbai

--Flat at INR 20 at INR 3,750-INR 3,800 per 100 kg in Kolhapur

 

At 1737 IST, the price of sugar on the Intercontinental Exchange was down 0.3% at 14.92 cents per pound. Higher sugar production in Brazil and India is weighing on global sugar rates.

 

"In 2025/26, India's production accelerated sharply, reinforcing the global downtrend, although high domestic prices and a likely increase in MSP (minimum selling price) will restrict the viability of exports," according to Lvea Coda, sugar analyst at Hedgepoint.

In the ongoing 2025-26 (Oct-Sept) season, sugar production is up nearly 22% on year to 15.9 million tonnes as of mid-January, supported by higher sugarcane availability, improved productivity, and smooth operations of mills, according to the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association. End

 

US$1 = INR 90.97

IST, or Indian Standard Time, is five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT

 

Edited by Saji George Titus

 

For users of real-time market data terminals, Informist news is available exclusively on the NSE Cogencis WorkStation.

 

Cogencis news is now Informist news. This follows the acquisition of Cogencis Information Services Ltd. by NSE Data & Analytics Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. As a part of the transaction, the news department of Cogencis has been sold to Informist Media Pvt. Ltd.

 

Informist Media Tel +91 (22) 6985-4000

Send comments to feedback@informistmedia.com

 

© Informist Media Pvt. Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved.