New Delhi: The all-India average retail price of sugar remained below ₹60 per kg for the fourth consecutive day on Monday, even as festive demand pushed prices higher in some regions. Government measures, including allowing sugar imports and tightening stockholding limits, have helped contain retail prices, although significant regional variations continue to be seen.
According to data maintained by the Consumer Affairs Ministry, the average retail price of sugar stood at ₹59.57 per kg on Monday, up slightly from ₹58.99 per kg a day earlier. Sugar prices fell below the ₹60-per-kg mark on Friday and have remained below that level since then. However, the average price is still higher than ₹58.23 per kg recorded on August 21, when the government announced measures to increase domestic availability and control prices.
The maximum retail price of sugar remained at ₹85 per kg on Monday, while the minimum price was ₹40 per kg, according to ministry data. Regional movements were mixed, with some southern states witnessing an increase while prices eased in key sugar-producing states. 
In Andhra Pradesh, the average retail price rose to ₹55.56 per kg on Monday from ₹49.58 per kg on August 21. Kerala also recorded an increase, with prices reaching ₹57.80 per kg compared with ₹56.75 per kg during the same period. In contrast, Maharashtra saw the average retail price decline to ₹58.22 per kg from ₹59 per kg, while Uttar Pradesh recorded a sharper fall to ₹57.88 per kg from ₹59.64 per kg.
Among other states, Madhya Pradesh witnessed a notable decline in sugar prices, with the average retail rate falling to ₹56.57 per kg from ₹62.36 per kg on August 21. West Bengal also recorded a marginal decline, with prices easing to ₹60.43 per kg from ₹60.95 per kg.
The government had allowed sugar imports on August 21 and tightened stockholding norms for bulk consumers and dealers as part of efforts to improve market supplies and check rising prices. The Centre has maintained that adequate sugar stocks are available to meet domestic demand, while attributing the recent price rise partly to actions by sugar mills.
At the same time, the government has revised down its estimate for sugar production in the 2025-26 marketing year, which runs from October to September, to 306 lakh tonnes from its earlier projection of 343 lakh tonnes. Domestic sugar consumption is estimated at around 280-285 lakh tonnes annually
