Govt cuts sugar dealers’ stock limit to 2,000 quintals to curb hoarding
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, September 1, 2026: The Central Government has reduced the stock holding limit for sugar dealers across the country from 4,000 quintals to 2,000 quintals, effective September 15 and applicable until November 30, 2026.
The move, announced by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, is aimed at preventing hoarding and speculative trading while ensuring adequate sugar availability and price stability for consumers.
Under the amended provisions, sugar dealers will not be allowed to hold any stock for more than 30 days from the date of receipt. They will also be prohibited from keeping more than 2,000 quintals of sugar at any time or location across the country.
However, the stock limit for Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas will remain at 4,000 quintals, considering the specific requirements of the region.
The ministry said Kolkata sources sugar from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and supplies it to eastern states, including the North-Eastern region. The existing higher limit has therefore been retained to ensure smooth supplies.
The government said the measures are intended to maintain adequate availability, orderly distribution and price stability while ensuring that genuine sugar trade and distribution activities continue without disruption.