Mandya jaggery prices hit record high amid severe drought

Mandya's jaggery prices have hit a record high amid severe drought and sugarcane shortage. Prices have surged from around ₹4,500 to ₹6,500-₹7,000 per quintal in just a few days. Reduced water availability has dried up sugarcane fields, cutting jaggery supplies by nearly 50% and pushing prices to unprecedented levels in the Mandya market.