Amid rising sugar prices, consumer concern has intensified before the holiday season. Even those wishing to buy sugar at increased prices are finding it difficult to find the required quantity, as some quick delivery platforms and offline stores have introduced purchase restrictions. Thus, the problem lies not only in the high cost but also in the limited availability of the product.
During the holidays, sugar consumption increases due to the preparation of sweets, desserts, and traditional dishes at home. Furthermore, confectioneries, bakeries, and other food service establishments are increasing their sugar purchases before the holidays, raising concerns about product availability alongside rising prices.
Restrictions on sugar purchases are not limited to physical stores. On quick delivery platforms such as Zepto, Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart, there are limits on purchasing certain types of sugar. For example, Zepto has set purchase limits for specific packages, and similar restrictions have been observed on Blinkit.
On Swiggy Instamart, the Supreme Harvest Crystal Sugar listing has a limit of two 1 kg packets per order. However, it is noted that these limits may vary depending on the specific product, platform, and store.
Purchase restrictions on sugar are not confined to online services. Some offline stores have also introduced limits. In some DMart stores, a limit of around 2-3 kg has been set, and reports have also emerged from several Reliance stores regarding the introduction of similar purchase restrictions. This means that buyers planning to purchase large quantities of sugar for the holidays may face difficulties both online and in traditional retail.
In response to the rise in sugar prices and pressure on the domestic market, the government has taken measures to increase sugar supply. According to an initial notification from August 20, it was permitted to import 1 million tons of raw sugar duty-free through the TRQ (Tariff Rate Quota) mechanism until October 31, 2026. The goal of this decision is to increase supplies to the domestic market and reduce price pressure.
Previously, importers were required to process raw sugar into white or refined sugar in India and sell it on the market by October 31. Now, the rules have been changed, granting importers additional time—up to two months from the date of filing the import declaration. This change gives importers more flexibility and time to process and sell sugar. Nevertheless, the impact of this decision on the market may not be immediate, as the delivery of sugar from imports, through processing, and to the retail market requires time.
Currently, retailers are trying to manage existing stocks, which leads to the imposition of purchase limits in various locations. For customers who buy only one or two packets of sugar for daily use, this restriction is unlikely to have a significant impact. However, families purchasing large quantities of sugar for the holidays, as well as sweet manufacturers and buyers preparing to stock up, may feel this restriction more acutely.