Centre allows export of 10 lakh tons sugar in ongoing 2024-25 season

During the last 2023-24 season, exports were entirely restricted due to domestic supply concerns.

Belagavi: Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi said that this year there has been excess production of sugar in the country and the government has allowed 10 lakh metric tons for export.

About 40 lakh metric tons has been sugar have been diverted for ethanol production but consumers did not worry as there were sufficient stocks to meet the domestic needs.

Joshi told reporters here on Monday "we have allowed the export of sugar due to excess production in the country. There were complaints from farmers that sugar factories were not clearing their dues and factories had been contending that there was excess production and prices have sugar had fallen. To ensure that the interests of farmers and factories were protected, we have allowed 10 lakh metric sugar to be exported."

"Ethanol blending with fuel with benefit farmers and sugar factories. It was first initiated during the tenure of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government in 2002. Since then blending of ethanol had to increase every five years, but that did not happen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has now increased ethanol blending in fuel to 18 per cent which will facilitate farmers get their dues cleared by sugar factories at the earliest", he said.

"We have sufficient sugar stocks, hence 40 lakh metric tons have been diverted towards making ethanol this year. Consumers did not worry as a balance between consumers, farmers and industry has been maintained. With sufficient stocks, there was no need to import sugar", Joshi stated.

"Complaints of farmers being cheated while weighing sugarcane were coming to notice. The Centre frames policies and the state has to execute them. Legal Metrology Department was enforcing agencies in states", he said.