Sugar turns bitter in Kerala as price soars

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Falling cane production in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, attributed to adverse weather conditions, has pushed up the price of sugar in Kerala to Rs.42 a kilogram, about Rs.10 higher than what it was in December-end.

“Sugar price was hovering around Rs.32 (a kilogram) during Christmas and suddenly it started rising and is now Rs.42,” a wholesaler here told IANS.

“Suppliers from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have indicated that prices could rise even further,” he added.

Sugar sold in Kerala mostly arrives from neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

State Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran accused the central government of being a silent spectator.

“We have got feelers from sellers in Brazil. They are willing to send us supplies and for that the central government has to give the nod,” Divakaran told IANS. “But assuming that the sugar arrives, where will we stock it? The centre has to come to our aid.”

Brazil is the largest producer of sugar in the world.

“We are providing 400 grams of sugar to all BPL (below the poverty line) card holders. The (Kerala government-owned) Civil Supplies Corp is supplying sugar at Rs.25 a kilogram, but the problem is that we don’t get enough,” added Divakaran.

Kerala has around two million BPL and another five million above poverty line (APL) card holders.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture K.V. Thomas, who visited the state Sunday, said the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the state government will provide “easy market kits” containing 20 items of daily use, including sugar, to consumers at a discount of up to 40 percent.