Sugar prices are soaring, hitting ₹70 per kilo as production dips by 20 lakh tonnes. Supply chains are buckling, forcing emergency duty-free imports.

While critics blame the E-20 ethanol push for diverting resources, the government pivots to grain-based production. West Bengal faces the brunt, relying heavily on external states to meet its massive 20-lakh-tonne demand.

Sweet days are officially over.