India Imposes Sugar Export Ban Till September 30 Amid Domestic Supply Concerns

Last Updated:May 14, 2026, 07:11 IST

The government order specifies that the ban has been imposed on raw, white and refined sugar and also marks a shift in policy from "restricted" to "prohibited".

India announced a ban on sugar exports with immediate effect on Wednesday as the world’s second-largest sugar producer attempts to rein in local prices.

The government has taken this step of tightening overseas shipments amid domestic supply considerations.

According to the government notification, the ban on sugar exports will remain in effect until September 30, 2026 or until further orders are given by the government.

The step is likely to support prices of global white and raw sugar while allowing rival sugar-producing nations, like Brazil and Thailand, to increase their shipments to Asian and African buyers.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued the order. The order specifies that the ban only applies to raw, white and refined sugar, while marking a shift in policy from “restricted" to “prohibited".

However, the sugar exports to the European Union and the United States will not face the ban under the existing tariff-rate quota and arrangements, the government stated.

The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association had last month projected that India’s gross sugar production would reach 32 million tonnes in this season ending September 30.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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