COMMODITY
ISMA, NFCSF assure ample sugar availability, caution against panic buying
Jul-18-2026

Sugar industry bodies -- Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) and the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF), in a joint statement, have asserted that there is adequate stock of sweetener in the country to comfortably meet domestic consumption requirements. They asked institutional buyers as well as wholesale and retail traders to refrain from speculative buying, hoarding, or spreading misleading information regarding sugar availability amid the recent price rise. They argued such actions only create artificial uncertainty and are against the larger interest of consumers, farmers, and the industry.

They said ‘The industry firmly believes that the recent price movement is not supported by the underlying demand-supply fundamentals. Creating an impression of scarcity when sufficient stocks are available can lead to unnecessary market volatility, disrupt normal trade, and adversely affect consumers as well as downstream industries’.

The two associations said they are fully committed to ensure continuous and adequate supplies of sugar, timely availability across all regions, and maintaining market stability. In May, India banned the export of sugar till September 30, 2026 with immediate effect, a move aimed to enhance domestic availability and contain prices. The government had allowed exports of nearly 16 lakh tonnes of sugar for the 2025-26 marketing year ending September. ISMA had projected total production for the 2025-26 marketing season at 29.3 million tonnes after ethanol diversion, up from 26.12 million tonnes recorded in 2024-25.

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