Key facts
- India exported US$407 million of jaggery & confectionery in FY2024-25 (apeda.gov.in).
- Largest destinations by value: unavailable by country
- 4 production clusters mapped, in Andhra Pradesh; Chhattisgarh; West Bengal; Telangana; Odisha; UP, Maharashtra; Uttar Pradesh; Karnataka, Maharashtra; UP; Karnataka, Gujarat; Maharashtra.
- Market guides for 14 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, APEDA RCMC, HACCP, ISO 22000, Halal certificate and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' container (about 18-20 MT) or LCL (typical).
Product overview
Jaggery (gur) is unrefined, non-centrifugal sugar made by boiling sugarcane juice in open pans. India is the world's largest jaggery producer. APEDA groups jaggery with confectionery, at US$ 406.92 million in FY2024-25 for the combined line.
Main clusters are Kolhapur and Sangli in Maharashtra (Kolhapur jaggery has a GI tag, registry not re-verified), Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh (one of Asia's largest gur markets) and Mandya in Karnataka. Products include traditional blocks (1-10 kg), small cubes, and dried, sieved jaggery powder, with chemical-free (no hydros/sulphur clarification) and organic options.
Demand comes from South Asian diaspora retail, health-food brands positioning jaggery as an unrefined sweetener, and African and Middle Eastern buyers. Jaggery is hygroscopic, so moisture-proof packing and dry storage are essential.
HS note: Indian ITC(HS) carries jaggery lines under 1701 13 and 1701 14; jaggery has been treated separately from sugar in export policy, but check whether any sugar restriction text covers your 8-digit line.
Specifications
| Sucrose | 70-85% (typical) |
|---|---|
| Reducing sugars | 5-15% (typical) |
| Moisture | ≤ 5-10% blocks; ≤ 3-5% powder (typical) |
| Insoluble matter | ≤ 1-2% (typical) |
| Sulphur dioxide | Not detected for chemical-free grade; declared otherwise |
| Colour | Golden to dark brown, buyer-specified (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Jaggery blocks (1-10 kg)
Traditional moulded blocks.
Jaggery cubes
Small 10-25 g cubes for retail.
Jaggery powder
Free-flowing, sieved - for bakery, beverages and retail.
Chemical-free / organic jaggery
No hydros/sulphur clarification; NPOP-certified options.
Liquid jaggery / kakvi
Niche syrup product.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 10-30 kg cartons or poly-lined bags | Moisture-proof liners essential |
| Retail | 250 g-1 kg pouches and boxes | Private label |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 18-20 MT · 40' HC about 24-26 MT. Hygroscopic - use desiccants and avoid humid transshipment
Customisation: Blocks, cubes or powder; chemical-free; organic; flavoured (ginger, cardamom) cubes
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Maharashtra
Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara
Kolhapur jaggery (GI not re-verified)
Uttar Pradesh
Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Shamli
Muzaffarnagar gur mandi
Karnataka
Mandya, Belagavi
Mandya jaggery
Market requirements by region
United States & Canada
USA: the packing facility needs FDA Food Facility Registration, every shipment needs FDA Prior Notice, and the US importer must run FSVP supplier verification. US tariff treatment of Indian goods changed several times in 2025-26 (reciprocal tariffs, product exemptions, a Feb-2026 India-US framework and later court rulings) - verify the current duty for the HTS line before quoting landed cost. Natural/organic sweetener positioning; US organic claims need USDA NOP certification.
United Kingdom
UK: the India-UK CETA entered into force on 15 July 2026 (reported) - claim preference with proof of origin; higher-risk food needs IPAFFS pre-notification. Diaspora retail; labels must follow UK sugar/nutrition labelling.
Gulf (GCC)
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. Diaspora retail in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman.
Africa
East African and Indian Ocean markets buy jaggery blocks for diaspora and local consumption.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
Jaggery has generally been treated separately from sugar (which was 'Prohibited' 13 May-30 Sep 2026 under DGFT Notification 16/2026-27). As of 2026-11 no jaggery-specific restriction was found - verify current DGFT policy before quoting.
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment inspection by SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek on request
- • Accredited (NABL) lab report for moisture, aflatoxin, pesticide residues and microbials
- • Pre-shipment and loading photographs, container seal record
- • SO2 and colour tests
- • Moisture check at packing
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • APEDA RCMC
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
- • USDA Organic (NOP)
- • Geographical Indication (GI)
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Certificate of analysis
- • FSSAI licence copy
- • Organic transaction certificate (if organic)
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Jaggery & confectionery | 406.9 | verified | apeda.gov.in |
Top destinations: unavailable by country
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What is jaggery?
Unrefined, non-centrifugal sugar made by boiling sugarcane juice in open pans until it solidifies; it retains molasses and minerals.
What does chemical-free jaggery mean?
Jaggery clarified without hydros (sodium hydrosulphite) or sulphur compounds, usually using plant-based clarificants.
Is jaggery affected by sugar export bans?
Jaggery has usually been outside sugar export curbs, but we check the current DGFT notification for the exact HS line before each contract.
How should jaggery be shipped?
In moisture-proof liners inside cartons, with desiccants in the container, because jaggery absorbs humidity.
Do you supply jaggery powder?
Yes, free-flowing sieved jaggery powder is available in bulk and retail packs.
Request a quote for Jaggery (Blocks, Cubes and Powder)
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
