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Informist, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026

By Afra Abubacker

NEW DELHI – Ex-mill prices of sugar were largely steady Friday in key markets of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, as the sales quota for February is seen adequate to meet the demand for the month. The absence of month-end selling pressure also kept prices largely unchanged, traders said. 

On Tuesday, the government set the domestic sugar sales quota for February at 2.25 million tonnes, unchanged from a year ago, but 2.3% higher than the 2.20 million tonnes in January. 

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 million-2.25 million tonnes, in line with February 2025 and January levels. The government fixes sales quota to regulate domestic availability, support prices, and help mills clear sugarcane arrears to farmers.

According to traders, sugar demand is expected to remain 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 lower temperatures.

Sugar prices are most likely to be steady in the coming week, unless the Centre increases the minimum selling price of sugar. Although the government has not made any official announcement, ex-mill prices have firmed up over the past few sessions on expectations of a higher minimum selling price. The minimum selling price of sugar is INR 31 per kg, unchanged since 2019. 

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

--Flat at INR 3,900-INR 4,100 per 100 kg in Uttar Pradesh

--Flat at INR 3,910-INR 3,992 per 100 kg in Mumbai

--Flat at INR 3,760-INR 3,800 per 100 kg in Kolhapur

At 1921 IST, the price of sugar on the Intercontinental Exchange was down 2.6% at 14.32 cents per pound, tracking losses in NYMEX crude oil prices. Lower crude oil prices lead to reduced diversion of sucrose for ethanol production, increasing sugar availability.

Firm dollar and higher sugar production in Brazil and India are weighing on global sugar rates. On Thursday, the All India Sugar Trade Association said it expected sugar output for the 2025–26 (Oct-Sept) season rising 13% on year to 29.6 million tonnes as major sugar-producing states are likely to have increased production in the ongoing season.  End

US$1 = INR 91.98

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

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

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