New Delhi, May 24 (Agency) Close on the heels of prohibiting wheat exports citing food security concerns, India has now decided to limit sugar exports to 100 lakh metric tonne (LMT) with a view to maintain the domestic availability and price stability during the sugar season 2021-22 (October-September). In the current sugar season 2021-22, contracts for export of about 90 LMT have been signed and about 82 LMT sugar has been dispatched from sugar mills for export, and about 78 LMT have been exported. As per the order issued by Directorate General of Foreign Trade (GFT), with effect from 1st June, 2022 till 31st October, 2022, or till further order, whichever is earlier, the export of the sugar will be allowed with specific permission of the Directorate of Sugar, Department of Food & Public Distribution.
“Taking into consideration unprecedented growth in exports of sugar and the need to maintain sufficient stock of sugar in the country as well as to safeguard interests of the common citizens of the country by keeping prices of sugar under check, Government of India has decided to regulate sugar exports with effect from June 1, 2022,” said an official statement. Sugar mills and exporters will now need to take approvals in the form of Export Release Orders (EROs) from the Directorate of Sugar, Department of Food and Public Distribution.