Sugar crosses Rs 60 a kg ahead of Diwali, against Rs 29.31 a year ago

Inflation is hitting the common man this festival season. Sugar prices are rising ahead of Diwali, and the sweetener is selling above Rs 60 a kg in the open market. Prices of onion, mustard oil and pulses have also gone up, upsetting household budgets.

According to prices released by the Department of Consumer Affairs, sugar was Rs 60.22 a kg on November 6, 2026. A year earlier the price was Rs 29.31 a kg. Sugar is selling at Rs 65 a kg in Delhi and Rs 63 a kg in Mumbai.

Onion prices have also risen by about 100 per cent over last year. Mustard oil has gone above Rs 210 a kg. Prices of pulses are also climbing fast.

On mustard oil, the price of mustard seed has gone above Rs 8,000 a quintal in many parts of the country. As a result, mustard oil sold at Rs 210.03 a kg on November 6. A month earlier the price was Rs 203.43, and a year earlier it was Rs 187.70 a kg. That is an increase of 11.90 per cent over last year.

On sugar production, the Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said the country has produced 1.285 million tonnes of sugar so far in the 2026-27 marketing year. According to the association, the cane crushing season began early last month, which has affected output.

In a statement, ISMA said crushing had begun at 184 sugar mills across the country by November 5, 2026. In the same period last year, crushing had begun at 154 mills. The association said the change in production is mainly due to the early start of crushing in Maharashtra and the gradual restart of mills in other major sugar-producing states.

In Maharashtra, crushing has begun at 136 sugar mills by November 5, and 1.078 million tonnes of sugar has been produced. In the same period last year, crushing had begun at 101 mills and production was 1.23 million tonnes.