Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

30-April-2012 17:14 IST

Export of Sugar

Export of Sugar is free subject to issue of release order by the Directorate of Sugar, Department of Food & PD. Export of preferential quota sugar to EU and USA is under State Trading dispensation. Export of 10,000 MTs of organic sugar per annum subject to registration of contract with APEDA does not require release order from the Directorate of Sugar, Department of Food & PD.

During the year 2011-12, 10,000 MTs of sugar to EU and 8,300 MTs of sugar to USA under Preferential Quota has been permitted. India allows export of sugar to Maldives under bi-lateral trade agreement. In 2011-12, export of 18,961.80 MTs of sugar has been permitted for export to Maldives under this agreement.

Sugar, wheat and oilseeds are freely exportable as on date. Government reviews the export policy of all agricultural products from time to time in consultation with the administrative Ministries and the Departments concerned, keeping in view various factors such as availability of goods in the domestic market, production, the price situation and various national and international commitments etc. Government regulates the export of food items in such a way that there is no scarcity in the country and it is available to the consumers at reasonable prices and at the same time the rate should not fall drastically in the domestic market depriving the farmers of remunerative prices.

This information was given by Shri Anand Sharma , Union Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

DS/GK

Export of sugar regulations: release orders, state trading for preferential quotas, and APEDA-registered organic exemptions. Export of sugar is permitted generally but requires a release order from the Directorate of Sugar; preferential-quota exports to the EU and USA are under state trading. Organic sugar exports up to the specified annual quantity are exempt from the release order if the contract is registered with APEDA. Exports to Maldives are permitted under a bilateral agreement. The Government reviews and may adjust export policy for agricultural items, balancing domestic availability, production, prices and international commitments to avoid scarcity and protect consumer prices and farmer returns.