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Agriculture
Sulphur Use to Whiten Sugar Likely Pushes Prices Higher After Diwali
✍️ Bhaskar English
🗓 25 Aug 2026, 10:33 AM
👁 5
Industry sources say that the addition of sulphur for sugar whitening after Diwali is expected to raise retail prices across India.
India’s sugar market is poised for a price uptick as manufacturers plan to use sulphur to achieve a whiter product for the festive season. The practice, common in sugar processing, intensifies after Diwali when demand for sweets and sugary treats surges.
Sulphur, though a standard bleaching agent, adds to production costs because it must be sourced, handled under safety norms, and integrated into the refining process. These added expenses are reflected in the final price paid by retailers.
Analysts predict that the cost increase will be passed on to consumers, potentially making everyday sugar‑based items such as mithai and beverages pricier during the post‑Diwali weeks. Authorities are monitoring the situation to ensure that price hikes remain within regulated limits.
The expected rise underscores the broader volatility in commodity pricing, where raw material inputs and seasonal demand together shape market dynamics.
Sulphur, though a standard bleaching agent, adds to production costs because it must be sourced, handled under safety norms, and integrated into the refining process. These added expenses are reflected in the final price paid by retailers.
Analysts predict that the cost increase will be passed on to consumers, potentially making everyday sugar‑based items such as mithai and beverages pricier during the post‑Diwali weeks. Authorities are monitoring the situation to ensure that price hikes remain within regulated limits.
The expected rise underscores the broader volatility in commodity pricing, where raw material inputs and seasonal demand together shape market dynamics.