Sugar prices: India’s sugar squeeze threatens its biggest season for sweets - BBC News

Domestic sugar prices have jumped nearly 40%, forcing India to import 1 million tonnes of the sweetener.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, India is the largest consumer of sugar in the world

India, the world's largest consumer of sugar, is trying to avoid a bittersweet festive season.

Sugar prices have jumped nearly 40% in the past two months, prompting the government to import 1 million tonnes for the first time in nearly a decade.

The move comes as demand surges from August, with festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra and Diwali leading into the busy wedding season. Food and beverage companies also begin stocking up for one of their busiest sales periods, adding pressure on wholesale prices.

Production is now expected to be 30.6 million tonnes in the current season, which runs from October 2025 to September 2026 - 11% below the government's earlier estimate of 34.3 million tonnes.