Sugar stock limits: dealers capped at 1,000 quintals and 15 days from 15 October to 30 November 2026; bulk consumers may hold 30 days’ stock using imported sugar
The Government has fixed the sugar dealers’ stock limit at 1,000 quintals and the holding period at 15 days from 15 October to 30 November 2026, with 2,000 quintals for Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas and Assam. Separately, bulk consumers may hold 30 days’ stock instead of 15, but the extra quantity must come only from sugar imported under Advance Authorisation or TRQ.
Key facts
- In force
- Dealers: 15 October to 30 November 2026; bulk consumers: date not stated (release of 18 September 2026)
- Who it affects
- Sugar dealers, wholesalers and retailers, bulk consumers using more than 10 MT of sugar a month (food and beverage manufacturers), sugar importers under Advance Authorisation and TRQ
- What it is
- Rule change
- Section
- Licences
- Published
- 1 October 2026
In 30 seconds
- Dealers: no sugar stock to be held beyond 15 days from the date of receipt, with effect from 15 October 2026.
- Dealers: stock not to exceed 1,000 quintals at any time and at any place; the release gives the period as 15 October to 30 November 2026.
- Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas and the State of Assam: stock holding limit of 2,000 quintals.
- Bulk consumers (using more than 10 MT a month): limit relaxed from 15 to 30 days of consumption, as per the release of 18 September 2026.
- Stock beyond 15 days must be sourced exclusively from sugar imported under the Advance Authorisation Scheme and Tariff Rate Quota.
- Bulk consumers to declare stock every Friday on the Department of Food and Public Distribution portal.
हिंदी में सार
सरकार ने चीनी डीलरों के लिए 15 अक्टूबर से 30 नवंबर 2026 तक स्टॉक सीमा 1,000 क्विंटल और रखने की अवधि 15 दिन तय की है; कोलकाता क्षेत्र और असम के लिए सीमा 2,000 क्विंटल है। थोक उपभोक्ता (महीने में 10 MT से ज़्यादा खपत) अब 15 की जगह 30 दिन का स्टॉक रख सकते हैं, पर अतिरिक्त स्टॉक सिर्फ़ Advance Authorisation या TRQ के तहत आयातित चीनी से होना चाहिए। उन्हें हर शुक्रवार पोर्टल पर स्टॉक बताना होगा।
Before and now
Stock not exceeding 15 days of consumption.
30 days — with the quantity beyond 15 days sourced only from sugar imported under Advance Authorisation or TRQ; open-market purchases remain limited to 15 days’ consumption.
Two decisions in a fortnight
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has announced two changes to sugar stock holding norms: one for dealers (release of 1 October 2026) and one for bulk consumers (release of 18 September 2026).
| Who | Limit | Period / condition |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar dealers | Stock not to exceed 1,000 quintals at any time and at any place; no stock to be held for more than 15 days from the date of receipt | With effect from 15 October 2026 to 30 November 2026 |
| Sugar dealers in Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas, and in Assam | Stock holding limit of 2,000 quintals | Same period |
| Bulk consumers — those using or consuming more than 10 MT of sugar a month as raw material | Stock up to 30 days of consumption (earlier 15 days) | The quantity beyond 15 days must be sourced exclusively from sugar imported under the Advance Authorisation Scheme (AAS) and Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) |
| Bulk consumers buying from the open market | Unchanged — 15 days’ consumption only | — |
Dealers: what the 1 October release says
With the new sugar season starting on 1 October, the Government has reduced the stock holding period for sugar dealers to 15 days and fixed the stock holding limit at 1,000 quintals. The higher limit of 2,000 quintals for Kolkata reflects that it sources sugar from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka and supplies the eastern part of the country, including the North-Eastern region; for Assam, the release cites geographical constraints and transport logistics.
The stated aim is to curb hoarding, discourage speculative trading and keep sugar moving from mills through dealers to consumers during the festive season.
Bulk consumers: what the 18 September release says
Bulk consumers had represented that the 15-day limit be enhanced in view of the festival season, and that they be allowed to source sugar directly from importers holding sugar imported under AAS and TRQ. The Government has relaxed the limit to 30 days on that condition.
It has also put in place a mechanism for declaration and weekly disclosure of sugar stocks every Friday by bulk consumers on the Department of Food and Public Distribution’s portal, foodstock.dfpd.gov.in.
Prices
According to the 1 October release, average retail sugar prices have declined by 15 per cent from their August peak and ex-mill prices by approximately 28 per cent. The 18 September release had put the retail decline at around 10 per cent (from ₹65 in August to ₹58.50) and the ex-mill decline at nearly 25 per cent. Wholesalers and retailers have been urged to pass on the reduction to consumers. The 18 September release also states that from 1 October 2026 sugarcane farmers will receive the increased Fair and Remunerative Price of ₹365 per quintal.
What dealers and bulk consumers should do
- Dealers: bring stock within 1,000 quintals (2,000 in the Kolkata area and Assam) by 15 October 2026, and track the date of receipt of each lot against the 15-day holding period.
- Bulk consumers: keep records showing that any stock beyond 15 days’ consumption is imported sugar under AAS or TRQ, and file the stock disclosure on the portal every Friday.
The releases do not cite the order or notification number, or the date from which the bulk-consumer relaxation applies.
Questions and answers
What is the sugar stock limit for dealers?
According to the release of 1 October 2026, with effect from 15 October 2026 a sugar dealer shall not hold stock exceeding 1,000 quintals at any time and at any place, and shall not hold stock for more than 15 days from the date of receipt. The release gives the period as 15 October to 30 November 2026.
Is the limit different anywhere?
Yes. The stock holding limit has been fixed at 2,000 quintals for Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas and for the State of Assam.
Who is a bulk consumer of sugar?
The release of 18 September 2026 refers to bulk consumers using or consuming more than 10 MT of sugar per month as a raw material for production, consumption or use.
How much stock can a bulk consumer hold now?
Up to 30 days of consumption, but the quantity beyond the existing 15 days’ limit must be sourced exclusively from sugar imported under the Advance Authorisation Scheme and Tariff Rate Quota. For purchases from the open market the limit remains 15 days’ consumption.
Is there a reporting requirement?
Yes. Bulk consumers are to declare and disclose their sugar stocks every Friday on the Department of Food and Public Distribution’s online portal, foodstock.dfpd.gov.in.
Published 1 October 2026. Updated 8 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.