Sandip Das

The government plans to use onion buffer stocks and Kanda Express to curb rising prices, as retail onion prices climb 45% year-on-year.

India’s specialty fertiliser market is growing as farmers seek higher nutrient-use efficiency, with major companies expanding capacity for crop-specific nutrients and water-soluble fertilisers.

The sugar industry cites speculative buying and lower production for recent price spikes but assures no shortage as stocks and production remain stable. Prices ease after government intervention.

India’s fertiliser subsidy spending has neared Rs 1 lakh crore in FY27 as global prices and LNG costs remain elevated. Officials expect the annual subsidy bill to rise by Rs 15,000-20,000 crore.

Onion prices surge 56% despite ample production and stocks, raising government concerns over speculation in Nashik. Authorities assure stable supply and ongoing exports amid price volatility.

India faces a 13% monsoon deficit approaching September 2026 due to El Niño conditions, threatening overall kharif crop yields and risking the lowest rainfall total since 2009.

Revived monsoon rains boosted India's reservoir capacity to 68%, though water storage in 166 major dams remains below year-ago levels and 10-year averages.

Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare ruled out an onion export ban due to comfortable domestic stocks, while the government launched discounted retail sales at ₹35/kg via the Kanda Express.

Retail sugar prices are expected to ease over the next fortnight as a sharp fall in factory-gate prices begins to work its way through the supply chain , offering some relief to consumers ahead of the festive season.

20% fall in ex-mills prices, fortnightly quotas introduced