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Informist, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

 

By Afra Abubacker

 

NEW DELHI – Ex-mill prices of sugar remained largely steady in key markets of Uttar Pradesh as the sales quota for February is seen sufficient. Maharashtra markets shut early on Wednesday after the state's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash earlier in the day, traders said. 

 

On Tuesday, the government had announced the domestic sugar sales quota for February at 2.25 million tonnes. The quota for next month is higher than the 2.20 million tonnes in January but unchanged from February last year. The February sales quota is largely in line with the market's expectation. 

 

With fewer trade days next month and no major festivals lined up, the market had expected the government to set the domestic sugar sales quota for February at 2.20-2.25 million tonnes. "The sales quota is reasonable. It is neither less, nor more," Naresh Gupta, a trader from north India, said. 

 

The government fixes sales quota to regulate domestic availability, support prices, and help mills clear sugarcane arrears to farmers.

 

In Maharashtra, ex-mill sugar prices had opened flat. Trading closed early on account of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's demise. According to reports, Pawar and four others died in a plane crash Wednesday in Baramati, Maharashtra. The incident occurred when the plane carrying Pawar and others crash-landed at Baramati Airfield.

 

Asked when Maharashtra markets will reopen, Mukesh Kuvadia, secretary of the Bombay Sugar Merchants Association said: "No idea. We are waiting for government announcement on it."

 

According to traders, sugar demand is expected to remain seasonally muted in February, though some support is seen from Ramadan and the ongoing wedding season in North India. Demand from bulk consumers such as soft drink and ice-cream makers typically eases during winter amid a drop in temperatures.

 

Following are the highlights of sugar prices in the domestic market:

--M-grade sugar flat at INR 3,900-INR 4,080 per 100 kg in Uttar Pradesh

 

At 1503 IST, the price of sugar on the Intercontinental Exchange was up 1% at 14.84 cents per pound, tracking gains in crude oil prices.  End

 

US$1 = INR 91.78

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

 

Edited by Vandana Hingorani

 

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