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Informist, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

By Taniva Singha Roy

MUMBAI – Ex-mill prices of sugar in the key markets of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra were steady on Monday as demand was need-based, traders said. Prices can increase if there is a firm demand ahead of Holi festival. Mills are now awaiting the release of the sales quota for March, they said.

Mills in Uttar Pradesh kept prices steady due to need-based buying, said Naresh Gupta, a trader from north India. Mills in the state had increased prices last week by INR 10-INR 15 per 100 kg but demand was limited at those rates. However, there is a possibility of prices increasing in the coming days, ahead of Holi festivals, he said.

But going ahead, prices in Uttar Pradesh will largely be on a downtrend as despite a fall in the sugarcane production, the sugar output in the state has increased. In Uttar Pradesh, sugar output rose nearly 4% on year to 6.6 million tonnes even as cane crushing fell 2.6% on year to 66.26 million tonnes as of Feb. 14. Among major producers, Uttar Pradesh registered the highest sugar recovery rate at 9.90% from 9.30% year ago, according to the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories.

Sweetener prices in Maharashtra were steady after mills cut prices by INR 5 per 100 kg the previous day, said Mukesh Kuvadia, secretary of the Bombay Sugar Merchants Association. Prices are likely to remain at current levels in Maharashtra in the short term, Kuvadia said. Mills are awaiting the release of sales quota for March, Kuvadia said.

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

--Flat at INR 3,900-INR 4,045 per 100 kg in west Uttar Pradesh

--Flat at INR 3,900-INR 4,065 per 100 kg in central Uttar Pradesh

--Flat at INR 3,800-INR 3,825 per 100 kg in Mumbai

--Flat at INR 3,995-INR 4,056 per 100 kg in Kolhapur

At 1844 IST, sugar prices on the Intercontinental Exchange were up nearly 1% at 14.42 cents per pound, tracking gains in crude oil prices on the NYMEX. Higher crude oil prices lead to rise in diversion of sucrose for production of ethanol, decreasing the availability of sugar.  End

US$1 = INR 90.88

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

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