Despite persistent industry demands, the government dismisses the possibility of allowing sugar exports for the current 2023-24 season.
The government has ruled out the possibility of permitting sugar exports for the ongoing 2023-24 season, ending in October, despite continuous appeals from the industry. Presently, there are restrictions on sugar exports for an unspecified duration.
The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has urged the government to authorise the export of 10 lakh tonnes of sugar for the 2023-24 season, citing an anticipated healthy closing stock by season-end. However, a senior food ministry official informed PTI that the government is not considering sugar exports at this time, despite industry requests.
India’s sugar production has exceeded 30 million tonnes until March of the current season, with ISMA revising its net sugar production estimate to 32 million tonnes for 2023-24. The government’s estimate places sugar output between 31.5-32 million tonnes.
Meanwhile, the government is contemplating permitting sugar mills to utilise excess stock of B-heavy molasses for ethanol production this year.
