Sugar industry body says no shortage, expects retail prices to ease

The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said on Monday (August 24, 2026) that there is no sugar shortage in the country and that retail prices are expected to come down. Speaking at a press conference, ISMA President Niraj Shirgaokar said prices had risen because of several factors, including speculative buying by traders and bulk consumers, as well as lower production caused by bad weather conditions. He categorically denied that mills were involved in creating an artificial scarcity or in raising ex-mill prices. Shirgaokar said prices have started to ease following the government's decision to allow duty-free imports of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar. “India does not have a sugar shortage,” he asserted.