New Delhi: The Central Government has imposed an immediate ban on sugar exports, suspending overseas shipments until September 30, 2026, or until further notice, in a move aimed at safeguarding domestic availability and stabilising prices.
The decision was announced through a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which revised the export status of sugar from “Restricted” to “Prohibited” with immediate effect.
Officials said the step has been taken to prioritise domestic consumption and maintain adequate stock levels amid concerns over supply pressures and market volatility.
However, the government clarified that the restriction will not affect certain categories of exports. Shipments to the European Union and the United States under the CXL and Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangements will continue as permitted.
Exports under the Advance Authorisation Scheme (AAS) have also been exempted from the ban. In addition, sugar supplies dispatched as part of government-to-government agreements to meet food security requirements of partner nations will remain unaffected.
The notification further stated that consignments already in the export pipeline and physically positioned for shipment before the order came into force will be allowed to proceed.
The move is expected to have a direct impact on exporters and mill operators, many of whom had been planning overseas dispatches in the coming months. Industry experts believe the restriction may help control domestic sugar prices and ensure sufficient supply for local consumption during the upcoming festive and production cycles.
The government has indicated that the policy will remain under regular review and may be revised depending on domestic stock assessments and future production trends.
