India allows duty-free import of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar to ease price rise

The Indian government has allowed duty-free import of one million tonnes of raw sugar under a Tariff Rate Quota until October 31, 2026, according to a Gazette notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and approved by the Commerce and Industry Minister. The move comes as domestic sugar prices have reached a 16-year high amid concerns over record-low stocks at the end of the sugar season and expectations of higher demand during the upcoming festive season.

Under the decision, the processed sugar from the imported raw sugar must be supplied to the domestic market by October 31, 2026. The government also announced a series of measures on Thursday to check the sharp rise in sugar prices.

The decision has raised questions over the government's sugar policy, particularly as India has already exported 800,000 tonnes of sugar to the international market this year.