Amid the anticipation of a hike in the minimum selling price (MSP) to Rs 33 a kg, the market price of sugar is holding firm and commanding a premium of 3-6 per cent over the prevailing MSP of Rs 31 a kg.
After the MSP was announced two years ago, such a premium over the floor price is seen for the first time as sugar fundamentally has remained in surplus. The MSP helps mills to earn a little around their cost of production to clear farmers dues without the government giving subsidies.
In Uttar Pradesh, the country’s top sugar producer, the ex-mill