The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a ₹50-52 per kg sugar sale for over 4 million people in Lucknow, effective from September 5. According to the Cane Development Department, the sugar will be available at the Sugarcane Farmers Institute campus on all working days between 10 am and 5 pm. As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, this initiative aims to provide relief to consumers amid fluctuating sugar prices in the market.
The Sugar Industry and Cane Development Department has structured the sale with multiple pack sizes and pricing options. 1-kg and 2-kg packs are priced at ₹52 and ₹102 respectively, while 5-kg and 50-kg packs are available at ₹250 and ₹2,500 respectively. According to the government release, small retailers may be able to source sugar at ₹50 per kg through this scheme, which could potentially reduce retail prices to ₹55-56 per kg in Lucknow. The facility will be operational from the Lal Bahadur Shastri Cane Farmers' Institute campus.
According to Union Consumer Affairs Ministry data reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, the average retail price of sugar in Uttar Pradesh was ₹60.69 per kg on September 3, down from ₹64.40 per kg. Consumers in Lucknow are currently purchasing sugar at ₹65-70 per kg depending on localities. The all-India average price of sugar declined to ₹61.93 per kg from ₹62.23 per kg on Friday, though prices have ruled as high as ₹85 per kg in some parts and as low as ₹45 per kg in others.
The government initiative comes as wholesale prices dropped by ₹150-400 per quintal with Chennai witnessing the maximum fall. According to The Hindu BusinessLine, mill offer prices remained unchanged at ₹4,300 per quintal for S-30 grade sugar and above ₹4,400 for M-30 grade. On the InterContinental Exchange, raw sugar for October delivery was quoted at 18.18 cents per pound ($400 per tonne) while spot prices were 18.38 cents ($408). In London, white sugar for December delivery was quoted at $527.20 per tonne.
