Unsafe Plates
India’s food economy is entering a dangerous phase ~ not necessarily because adulteration is new, but because public trust is beginning to collapse faster than the state can restore it.
In a major move aimed at safeguarding domestic availability, the Centre has prohibited sugar exports with immediate effect till September 30, 2026, while allowing limited shipments under select international commitments and existing trade schemes.
The decision comes amid concerns over maintaining adequate domestic sugar stocks and ensuring food security over the next two years. The government, however, has carved out exceptions for exports to the European Union and the United States under quota arrangements, signalling that treaty-linked commitments will continue despite the broader restrictions.
Advertisement
In a notification issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry amended the export policy status of raw sugar, white sugar and refined sugar from “Restricted” to “Prohibited”. The change applies to sugar categories falling under specific ITC (HS) codes, according to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
Advertisement
“The export policy of Sugar (Raw Sugar, White Sugar and Refined Sugar) under ITC (HS) Codes 1701 14 90 and 1701 99 90 is amended from ‘Restricted’ to ‘Prohibited’ with immediate effect till September 30, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the notification stated.
What sugar exports are still allowed?
The government clarified that exports to the European Union and the United States under CXL and Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangements will remain operational under existing procedures laid down through earlier public notices.
Shipments under the Advance Authorisation Scheme (AAS) will also continue in line with the provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.
The notification further provided relief for consignments already in the export pipeline. Sugar shipments where loading had commenced before the notification was issued will be allowed to proceed.
Similarly, exports will be permitted in cases where shipping bills had already been filed and vessels had berthed or anchored at Indian ports with allocated rotation numbers before the ban took effect.
“The approval for loading in such vessels shall be issued only after confirmation by the concerned Port Authority regarding berthing/anchoring prior to this Notification,” the Ministry said.
Relief for consignments already cleared
The Centre also exempted consignments that had already been handed over to Customs authorities or custodians and were registered in electronic systems with verifiable proof before the notification date.
The government added that exports to certain countries may still be allowed if there is a formal request from foreign governments to meet food security requirements.
According to the notification, if the prohibition is not extended beyond September 30, 2026, the export policy for these sugar categories will automatically revert to the “Restricted” category.
Advertisement
