Karnataka: Sugar price rise boosts demand for pure jaggery in Belagavi
Belagavi’s jaggery prices have risen to Rs 5,800 per quintal from Rs 5,000 a year ago, driven by higher sugar prices and stronger consumer demand. Traditional jaggery without added sugar is gaining popularity, while festival demand during Ganesh Chaturthi, Navaratri and Deepavali is providing additional price support.
Belagavi: Rising sugar prices have increased consumer interest in jaggery, pushing the price of jaggery prepared without adding sugar to between Rs 5,000 and Rs 5,800 per quintal in Belagavi district, Deccan Herald reported.
Sugarcane is grown across more than three lakh hectares in the district. While a large majority of farmers send their cane to sugar factories, some divert their produce to local jaggery-making units.
Jaggery-making units generally begin operations after Navaratri and continue until January in the district’s major sugarcane-growing regions. However, a few units remain operational throughout the year and are currently benefiting from stronger demand and higher prices.
“We prepare jaggery throughout the year, producing around one tonne a day. Our jaggery is supplied to the Belagavi APMC, different towns in the district and Maharashtra. We do not add sugar while making it, and the product fetches up to Rs 5,800 per quintal. Prices vary daily, while demand has risen following the increase in sugar prices,” said Yuvraj Patil of Kalakhamb in Belagavi taluk.
Belagavi APMC trader Sachin Bhairappanavar said the price of jaggery has risen significantly over the past year. It was selling at around Rs 5,000 per quintal in September last year, compared with as much as Rs 5,800 currently.
“People are showing more interest in buying jaggery as sugar prices have increased,” Bhairappanavar said.
He added that jaggery prices typically receive a seasonal boost during Ganeshotsav, Navaratri and Deepavali before stabilising later. Jaggery prepared with added sugar is currently sold for up to Rs 4,000 per quintal.
The increase in sugar prices has prompted some consumers to consider jaggery as a relatively cheaper alternative, particularly for household use and preparation of traditional sweets.
Festival demand also plays an important role in the jaggery market. Consumption generally rises during Ganesh Chaturthi, Navaratri and Deepavali, providing additional support to prices.
Jaggery is traditionally produced by extracting juice from sugarcane and boiling it to remove water. The resulting concentrated mass is then cooled and moulded into jaggery.
While traditional jaggery can be produced without adding sugar, some commercial manufacturers may use sugar or other ingredients to alter the product’s colour, sweetness, texture or yield.
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Source : ChiniMandi
