Govt allocates 60LMT quota for export to sugar mills this year

India exported 110 LMT sugar in the year 2020-21 and became second largest exporter of sugar in the world and earned about ₹40,000 crore worth of foreign exchange for the country

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Sugar export india

New Delhi: In another attempt to bring about price stability of sugar in the country and strengthen financial positions of sugar mills, the Central government has allowed export of sugar upto 60 lakh metric tonne (LMT) during the sugar season 2022-23.

The director general of foreign trade (DGFT) has already notified to extend the inclusion of sugar exports under ‘restricted’ category up to October 31, 2023.

The Central government has prioritized availability of about 275 LMT sugar for domestic consumption, about 50 LMT sugar for diversion to ethanol production and to have closing balance of about 60 LMT. Balance quantity of sugar produced by sugar mills in the country would be allowed for exports.

Since at the beginning of sugar season 2022-23, initial estimates of sugarcane production are available, it has been decided to allow export of 60 LMT sugar. The sugarcane production in the country will be reviewed periodically and based on the latest available estimates, quantity of sugar exports to be allowed could be reconsidered.

India exported 110 LMT sugar in the year 2020-21 and became second largest exporter of sugar in the world and earned about ₹40,000 crore worth of foreign exchange for the country. Timely payment and low carrying cost of stocks for sugar mills also resulted in early clearance of cane arrears of farmers. As on October 31, more than 96% of cane dues of farmers for the year 2021-22 were already cleared despite record procurement of sugarcane of more than ₹1.18 lakh crore, a statement from the Central government claimed.

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In the sugar export policy for 2022-23, government has announced sugar mill wise export quota for all sugar mills in the country with an objective system based on average production of sugar mills in last three years and average sugar production of the country in last three years. Further, to expedite the sugar exports and to ensure flexibility to sugar mills in execution of the export quota, mills may decide to surrender the quota partially or fully within 60 days of the date of issue of order or they can swap the export quota with domestic quota within 60 days.

Officials said that this system would ensure lesser burden on logistics system of the country as swapping system would reduce the need to transport the sugar from distant locations to the ports for exports and movement of sugar across the length and breadth of the country for domestic consumption. Further, swapping would also ensure liquidation of sugar stocks of all mills as mills which are not able to export could swap their export quota with domestic quota of sugar mills which are able to export more, mainly due to their vicinity to ports.

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At the end of sugar season 2022-23, it is expected that most of sugar mills will be able to sell their production either in domestic market or in international market through exports and will clear the cane dues of farmers in time.

The sugar export policy is an indication of focus of government on ensuring price stability in sugar sector in interest of domestic consumers. By restricting the sugar exports, domestic prices will remain under control and no major inflationary trends will arise in domestic market. Indian sugar market has already seen very nominal price increase, which is in tune with increase in FRP (the minimum price that sugar mills have to pay to sugarcane farmers) of sugarcane for farmers.

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Another focus area is production of ethanol in the country which is a priority area for the country to reduce dependence on fuel imports and to move towards green energy. Higher ethanol prices for producers have already encouraged distilleries to divert more sugar towards ethanol. The sugar export policy is another mechanism to ensure availability of sufficient sugarcane/sugar/molasses for ethanol production. Diversion of sugar towards ethanol production during ESY 2022-23 is expected to be 45-50 LMT.

By allowing sugar exports, government also intends to protect the interest of cane farmers and sugar mills as mills will be able to take benefits of favourable international sugar price scenario and achieve better prices of sugar so that cane dues of farmers in current sugar season 2022-23 may also be paid timely and working capital costs of mills may reduce due to optimum level of sugar stocks with them.