New Delhi, 1 September 2026: To ensure adequate availability of sugar in the government market and to prevent hoarding and speculative trading of sugar, the Government of India has reduced the stock holding limit for sugar traders from 4,000 quintals to 2,000 quintals, effective from 15th September, 2026 to 30th November, 2026. At present, the stock holding limit of 4,000 quintals on sugar traders across the country is effective from August 1, 2026. The government has now taken more steps by reducing the stock holding limit to 2,000 quintals.
Under the amended provisions, which will come into effect from 15th September, 2026, sugar traders will: Not hold any stock for more than 30 days from the date of receipt of such stock. Not to keep more than 2,000 quintals of sugar in stock at any time and at any place in the country. However, keeping in mind the specific market requirements of the region, the stock holding limit for Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas will remain at 4,000 quintals.
Kolkata region procures sugar from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and supplies it to the eastern part of the country including the North-Eastern region. Therefore, the existing limit of 4,000 quintals has been retained for Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas. The objective of these measures is to prevent excessive hoarding, discourage speculative trading and prevent excessive accumulation of sugar stocks. It will facilitate systematic movement of sugar through the supply chain and ensure its continuous availability to consumers at affordable prices.