The Government of India has banned sugar exports with immediate effect till September 30, 2026, in a move aimed at ensuring domestic availability and price stability.

In a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the export policy for raw sugar, white sugar and refined sugar has been revised from “Restricted” to “Prohibited”.

The notification stated that sugar exports will remain prohibited until September 30, 2026, or until further orders. However, exports to the European Union and the United States under CXL and TRQ quotas will continue as per existing procedures. Shipments under the Advance Authorization Scheme (AAS) have also been exempted from the ban.

The move is expected to impact India’s cooperative sugar sector, especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka, where many sugar mills function under the cooperative model. Industry observers believe the restriction on exports could put pressure on revenues of cooperative sugar factories that rely on overseas markets.

The government clarified that the notification has come into force immediately and transitional provisions under the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 will not apply in this case.