Sugar prices in Kolkata could fall to around Rs 50 per kilogram before the festive season, Bengal agriculture marketing minister Dilip Ghosh said on Tuesday, after the retail rate eased from nearly Rs 75 per kilogram in mid-August to about Rs 60 per kilogram.
The state government is monitoring wholesale and retail markets and has held meetings with sugar mills in other states, the Posta Merchants’ Association and wholesalers. Ghosh said the government had told market participants that sugar prices must come down before the festival period, when demand rises and the ingredient is essential to Bengal’s sweet-making industry.
“We have held a series of meetings with sugar mills in other states, the Posta Merchants’ Association and wholesalers. We told them categorically that sugar prices must come down. Sweets are an essential part of our festivities and we cannot leave a sour taste in people’s mouths,” Ghosh said.
The agriculture marketing department will track the landing price of sugar consignments at Dankuni and their onward movement to Posta and other wholesale hubs. The monitoring is intended to follow prices across the supply chain, from incoming consignments to wholesale distribution and retail sales.
Agriculture marketing principal secretary Abhinav Chandra said the department was confident that discussions with sugar mills, traders and market representatives could bring sugar prices into an affordable range. The state’s intervention comes after the sharp increase in retail sugar prices placed pressure on households and businesses producing sweets.
Ghosh also announced plans to establish 10 onion storage facilities in North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad and Malda. The facilities are intended to preserve Bengal’s Sukh Sagar onion variety during the lean August-November period, when supplies can come under pressure.
At present, onions can generally be stored for around 45 days before sprouting begins. The proposed facilities are expected to extend storage beyond 60 days, creating a buffer against sudden shortages and price spikes. The locations will cover major onion-producing and supply regions in the state.
The minister said he would visit north Bengal to review supply chains and price movements. He also said the government wanted consumers in the hills and north Bengal to receive the same price protection and benefits as those in Kolkata. Further monitoring of sugar consignments and the planned onion storage facilities are the next steps outlined by the state government.
