India's government on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, prohibited sugar exports with immediate effect until September 30, 2026, or until further orders, to curb domestic prices and ensure adequate local availability amid concerns over lower production, according to a government notification.
The ban applies to all sugar exports, including raw, refined, and white sugar, but exempts shipments under existing quotas for the European Union and the United States, as well as exports to neighboring countries under specific trade agreements, the notification stated.
The decision comes as India, the world's second-largest sugar producer, faces a projected production decline due to erratic monsoon rains and reduced cane acreage in key states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, according to industry estimates.
The government said the measure is temporary and will be reviewed based on domestic supply and price trends. The ban is expected to impact global sugar prices, which have already risen in recent weeks, traders said.
