Mandya’s jaggery prices have hit a record high amid a severe drought and sugarcane shortage. Prices have jumped from around Rs 4,500 to Rs 6,500-Rs 7,000 per quintal, while jaggery supplies have fallen by nearly 50% in the market.
Mandya, popularly known as Karnataka’s ‘Sugar Land’, is facing a severe drought that has disrupted sugarcane cultivation and pushed jaggery prices to unprecedented levels in the district’s market. With inadequate rainfall for nearly six months and reduced Cauvery water supply, several sugarcane fields have dried up, severely affecting crop yields and jaggery production. The shortage of sugarcane has affected local jaggery-making units, known as ‘ganas’, and sharply reduced the supply of jaggery reaching the market.
The decline in sugarcane production has reportedly reduced yields by nearly half. With jaggery-making units struggling to procure adequate quantities of sugarcane, the shortage has pushed prices to levels not seen before in Mandya’s market.
Jaggery Price Jumps By Rs 2,000 Per Quintal
Until a few days ago, jaggery was selling for around Rs 4,500 per quintal in the Mandya market. However, prices have surged by nearly Rs 2,000 in just two to three days.
A quintal of jaggery is now reportedly being auctioned for Rs 6,500 to Rs 7,000. Local traders have expressed surprise at the sharp increase, noting that jaggery prices generally tend to decline during this season.
According to traders, the current price levels are unprecedented in the history of the Mandya market.
Jaggery Supply Falls By Half
The water shortage has directly affected jaggery production and market arrivals. Under normal circumstances, around 10 to 12 lorries carrying jaggery are dispatched from the Mandya market each day.
However, supplies have now fallen by around 50%, with significantly less jaggery reaching the market.
The impact of the drought is being felt across the entire supply chain. Reduced water availability has affected sugarcane cultivation, leaving jaggery-making units with insufficient raw material. The resulting decline in production and market arrivals has pushed jaggery prices sharply higher in Mandya.