Kolkata, Aug. 26 -- A sharp increase in the price of sugar over the past fortnight has impacted West Bengal's sweet industry, with some manufacturers marginally increasing the prices of sweets while others say they might be forced to do so if the trend continues.

"The increase in the price of sugar from around Rs.48 per kilo to around Rs.68 - Rs.70 per kilo has already had a negative effect. We have been forced to marginally increase the prices of sweets. The festive season is approaching. If this trend continues, there will be a huge impact," said Pramod Kumar Singh, secretary of the Burdwan Sitabhog Mihidana Traders Welfare Association.

West Bengal is known for its sweet industry with at least eight sweets having been GI tagged includ...