How India’s food prices rose this September

Newslaundry · Oct 5, 2026

In September 2026, a kilogram of onion cost 93% more than last year, while sugar prices were up 28% and rice was up about 8%, on average, according to ISignal’s Food Price Watch dashboard, which uses Department of Consumer Affairs data. This is in a year with the fourth lowest rainfall since the turn of the century, as the country approaches the withdrawal of the monsoon with a 13% deficit.Sustained low prices in past years pushed farmers away from onion, experts say, while the government lists factors such as increased demand and speculation for the increase in sugar prices.“Extreme climate…