New Delhi, July 29 -- Amid a surge in sugar prices, the Centre on Tuesday imposed stockholding limits on sugar dealers, under which they cannot hold more than 4,000 quintals of sugar or retain stocks for more than 30 days from the date of receipt, seeking to curb hoarding and ease prices ahead of the festive season. The government order is effective from August 1 to November 30. Retail sugar prices rose to an all-time high of Rs.49 per kg on average as of July 28, up from Rs.46.5 per kg a month ago and Rs.46 per kg a year earlier. The restrictions come as wholesale sugar prices have surged over the past month amid concerns over tighter domestic supplies and lower closing stocks at the end of the 2025-26 sugar season, which begins in October and ends in September. In addition, a rainfall deficit in the current monsoon season added a premium to sugar prices. During June 1-July 28, the cumulative rainfall over the country was 16% below normal, IMD data revealed. Sugar's ex-mill price (cost of sugar after it leaves the factory production line) in Maharashtra rose to around Rs.42,000 per tonne this month from Rs.38,000 per tonne last month. A senior official at the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd said ex-mill prices had already begun easing following government intervention....