THE CENTRE has decided to allow export of 15 lakh metric tonnes of sugar during the season (October-September) in 2025-26. An order to this effect was issued by the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Friday.
“ln exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act,1955 (10 of 1955) read with clause 6 and 7 of the Sugar (Control) Order, 2025, Government has decided to allocate export quota of 15 LMT of sugar for sugar season 2025-26,” states the order.
As per the order, export quota of 15 LMT has been pro-rated amongst those sugar mills which operated in at least one of the last three sugar seasons by taking into account their average production during the last three operational seasons — 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25.
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“All the sugar mills have been allocated a uniform export quota of 5.286% of their 3 years average production of sugar,” the order said. In the last sugar season (2024-25), the government had allowed export of 10 lakh metric tonnes of sugar.
The export quota of 15 lakh metric tonnes for the current sugar season (2025-26) is higher as compared to last year. However, it is lower than the export quota demanded by the industry. Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said last week that India is well-positioned to export nearly 20 lakh tonnes of sugar during the current season.
“With a comfortable sugar balance, India is well-positioned to export nearly 20 lakh tons this season. We have strongly urged the government to announce the export policy at the earliest, so mills can proactively plan their raw and white sugar production strategies in advance,” the ISMA said.
