Ludhiana, Aug. 19 -- The festive season may bring sweetness to households, but a sharp rise in sugar prices is threatening to leave a bitter taste in consumers' pockets. With Raksha Bandhan and Ganesh Chaturthi approaching, sugar prices have jumped by at least Rs.17 per kg in the wholesale market over the past week, raising concerns that the increase could soon translate into costlier sweets.

The retail price of sugar has touched Rs.65 per kg, while in the wholesale market, prices have climbed to around Rs.6,200-6,500 per quintal, compared with nearly Rs.4,500 per quintal earlier. Wholesalers said the sudden spike has come at a particularly sensitive time, as sweet shops and other food businesses have begun stocking up on raw materials a...