New Delhi: With sugar prices rising sharply in recent weeks, quick-commerce platforms and organised retailers have limited the quantity customers can order in several markets.
BigBasket, Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart have introduced caps on sugar orders in select locations, while retailers including DMart and Reliance Retail have also reportedly placed limits on purchases in some markets.
The measures are aimed at managing available inventory amid tighter supplies and elevated prices.
The increase in prices has become more pronounced over the past month. Data from the Department of Consumer Affairs showed the average retail price of sugar across India at Rs 65.05 per kg on August 26, compared with around Rs 48 per kg a month earlier.
Data released by the Press Information Bureau showed sugar prices rising from Rs 48.18 per kg on July 20 to Rs 55.70 per kg on 20 August, marking an increase of nearly 16 per cent in a month.
Wholesale prices have also risen, with sugar trading at around Rs 60.36 per kg compared with approximately Rs 45 per kg a month earlier.
The quantity customers can order varies by platform, location and brand. In Delhi-NCR, Blinkit has reportedly limited purchases of certain brands to one 5-kg pack per transaction.
BigBasket has capped orders for some brands at six 1-kg packs. On Swiggy Instamart, customers in parts of Delhi-NCR can order up to two 1-kg packs of one brand, while another brand has a limit of four 5-kg packs.
Zepto has also introduced similar restrictions in some locations, with limits varying depending on inventory availability.
Offline retailers have taken similar steps to manage supplies. An executive from a leading sugar brand said DMart and Reliance Retail have, in some cases, capped purchases at around 2-3 kg per customer.
Online grocery platforms have followed comparable measures, the executive said, according to The Times of India. However, the person said there is no stock-out situation at present despite the restrictions.
The price increase comes amid concerns over domestic sugar supplies. The Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has estimated net sugar production for the 2025-26 marketing year at around 279 lakh tonnes after accounting for diversion towards ethanol.
India began the season with opening stocks of approximately 50 lakh tonnes. Annual domestic consumption is estimated at around 280-285 lakh tonnes.
ISMA expects closing stocks to be around 35 lakh tonnes by the end of September, indicating relatively limited headroom in inventories against domestic consumption requirements.
The price increase comes ahead of the festive period, when demand for sugar typically rises with greater consumption of sweets and other preparations.
Raksha Bandhan is expected to contribute to higher demand for sugar-based products, potentially adding further pressure on supplies if availability remains tight.
For consumers, the increase could translate into higher grocery bills, particularly if elevated sugar prices persist through the festive season. Retailers and quick-commerce companies are meanwhile adjusting order quantities to manage inventories and maintain product availability. (BVI)
