Sugar wholesale rate in Nagpur up by about Rs 1,000 a quintal in 20 days; retail near Rs 60 a kg

With the festival season beginning, worries of the common man have grown again. Prices of food items and daily necessities were already high, and sugar has now become costlier too. In the retail market, sugar has reached about Rs 60 a kg.

Trader Anil Agrawal said sugar prices have been trending upwards for the past few days. According to him, about 20 days ago sugar was selling in the wholesale market at between Rs 4,800 and Rs 4,850 a quintal. The rate has now risen to between Rs 5,800 and Rs 5,850 a quintal, an increase of about Rs 1,000 a quintal in this period.

The rise in the wholesale market has begun to show in the retail market as well. As a result, customers have to pay more for sugar than before. Retail prices have gone up by about Rs 10 a kg, upsetting household kitchen budgets.

During the festivals, households traditionally prepare sweets and other dishes, so sugar consumption rises compared with normal days. The need for sugar goes up further for items such as laddu, gulab jamun, kheer and halwa. For people already struggling with inflation, the increase is no less than a shock in the midst of the festive joy.

According to traders, the main reason for the rise in sugar prices in Nagpur district is said to be mills raising their rates. After the rise in wholesale trade, the effect has reached the retail market.

There is apprehension that the impact will not be limited to the purchase of sugar. The cost of sweets and other food items could also be affected. If prices keep climbing, the expense of buying sweets and preparing dishes at home during the festivals could go up. The rise just before the festivals is feared to hit not only ordinary people but also businesses that make sweets.