By Aadyasha News 
Bhubaneswar, August 27, 2026: Sugar prices continue to remain high in Odisha’s retail markets, with consumers reportedly paying around ₹75 per kg or even more in some places despite a recent decline in wholesale prices. The mismatch between wholesale and retail prices has raised concerns among consumers, tea stall owners and sweet manufacturers.
According to market reports, the wholesale price of sugar has recently declined by around ₹400 per quintal, falling from approximately ₹6,400 to ₹6,000 per quintal. This translates to a wholesale price of around ₹60–₹62 per kg. However, the reduction has not been reflected proportionately in retail markets, where sugar continues to be sold at significantly higher prices.
Retail Prices Rose Sharply in Two Months
The price situation has changed considerably over the past two months. Sugar prices in the retail market reportedly rose from around ₹4,000 per quintal to nearly ₹6,400 per quintal, representing an increase of about 87 per cent.
During the same period, wholesale prices increased from around ₹40 per kg to ₹64–₹66 per kg, while retailers were charging an additional ₹5–₹8 per kg. Although wholesale prices have now started declining, consumers have yet to see a similar reduction at retail outlets.
Tea and Sweet Businesses Under Pressure
The continuing high price of sugar has put additional pressure on businesses that depend heavily on the commodity, particularly tea stalls and sweet shops.
Tea sellers operating on small profit margins are worried that they may eventually have to increase the price of tea if sugar prices remain elevated. One tea seller near the IDCO Auditorium reportedly said that tea prices had already been increased earlier following a rise in cooking-gas prices, and another increase could become unavoidable if sugar prices continue to rise.
Sweet manufacturers are also facing higher production costs. Akshaya Kumar Lenka, president of the Ama Pahala Rasagola Foundation, said that the prices of key ingredients such as sugar and chhena have increased significantly. According to him, sugar has become around ₹30 more expensive per kg, while the price of chhena has risen by about ₹20 per kg.
Sweet manufacturers are expected to consider a possible increase in prices after Rakhi Purnima, depending on market conditions.
No Shortage of Sugar, Says Traders’ Body
Despite the increase in prices, traders say there is no shortage of sugar in Odisha.
Traders’ federation general secretary Sudhakar Panda said adequate quantities of sugar are reaching the state and supply remains normal. Odisha reportedly requires around 2,500 tonnes of sugar every day, 75,000 tonnes a month and nearly nine lakh tonnes annually.
He alleged that large traders and corporate businesses are benefiting from the higher prices, while sugar is also being sold at elevated rates through malls and online platforms. He called for better monitoring of retail prices.
Consumers Await Relief
The continued gap between wholesale and retail prices has raised questions over whether consumers are receiving the benefit of falling wholesale rates.
With sugar being an essential household commodity and a key ingredient in tea and sweets, sustained high prices could have a wider impact on household budgets as well as small food businesses.
Consumers are now hoping that the recent decline in wholesale prices will soon translate into lower retail prices across Odisha.
: