A bitter pill for sweet lovers as sugar prices put festive mithai, chocolates and biscuits at risk of a hike

Consumer goods companies are planning price hikes due to high sugar costs. Bikaji Foods is already implementing a two percent increase on its sweets. Companies face significant cost increases compared to recent months. This pressure comes after previous price adjustments for commodity inflation. Further price increases or grammage cuts are anticipated in packaged foods.

Funding skew deepens in microfinance

Large microfinance companies received 98.1% of sector funding in Q1. This funding concentration reflects financiers playing safer during uncertain economic cycles. Smaller institutions face tighter liquidity and higher borrowing costs, impacting recovery pace. Banks contributed 80.4% of the Rs 21,407 crore debt funding received. NBFC-MFIs remain the largest micro-credit provider with a 44.3% market share.