According to data from India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs, as of the 21st, the retail price of sugar—an essential ingredient in confectionery and chocolate—had risen to 65 rupees per kilogram (100 Indian rupees is approximately equivalent to 7.0 Chinese yuan). In contrast, the price stood at just 45 rupees per kilogram on July 21, marking an increase of 20 rupees in the span of a single month.
The rise in sugar prices is driven by a decline in domestic production. The Indian government’s latest forecast estimates sugar production for the 2025/2026 crushing season at approximately 30.6 million tonnes, about 11% lower than the initial projection of 34.3 million tonnes.