New Delhi, May 14, 2026 : The Government of India has imposed a ban on the export of sugar till September 30, 2026, in a significant move aimed at regulating domestic availability and managing supply concerns.
According to an official notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on May 13, the export policy for sugar has been revised from “Restricted” to “Prohibited” with immediate effect.
The notification stated that the ban applies to the export of raw sugar, white sugar and refined sugar and will remain in force until September 30, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
“The export policy of Sugar (Raw Sugar, White Sugar and Refined Sugar)… is amended from ‘Restricted’ to ‘Prohibited’ with immediate effect till September 30, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the DGFT notification stated.
However, the government clarified that certain categories of sugar exports would remain exempt from the restrictions. The order will not apply to sugar exports to the European Union and the United States under the tariff rate quota (TRQ) scheme.
In addition, exports carried out under the Advance Authorisation Scheme, government-to-government arrangements and consignments that are already in the physical export pipeline have also been exempted from the ban.
Officials said the decision has been taken in view of domestic supply management and market stability concerns, as the government continues to monitor sugar production, consumption patterns and price trends across the country.
India is among the world’s largest producers and exporters of sugar, and any policy decision regarding exports has a significant impact on global sugar markets as well as domestic prices.
The latest order is expected to influence the sugar industry, exporters and international trade dynamics over the coming months while ensuring adequate availability for domestic consumers.
