Key facts
- India exported US$8 million of sugar in FY2024-25 (ianslive.in).
- Largest destinations by value: Djibouti 1.46 lakh t; Somalia 1.35; Sri Lanka 1.34
- 1 production cluster mapped, in Maharashtra; Uttar Pradesh; Karnataka.
- Market guides for 20 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, APEDA RCMC, HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: Containerised from one 20' (about 25 MT); bulk vessels from 12,500 MT+ (typical).
Product overview
India is the world's second-largest sugar producer, with output concentrated in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. Exports are tightly managed by the government: sugar is normally a 'Restricted' item with season-wise mill quotas. In the 2024-25 season India shipped about 7.75 lakh t, mainly to Djibouti, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan (AISTA via IANS).
For the 2025-26 season the Food Ministry allocated a 1.5 million t quota (plus 87,587 t in March 2026), but on 13 May 2026 DGFT Notification 16/2026-27 moved raw, white and refined sugar to 'Prohibited' until 30 September 2026, with exemptions reported for EU CXL and US TRQ quota shipments and government-approved exports. The policy for the 2026-27 season (from 1 October 2026) had not been confirmed at the time of writing.
Indian export grades are S-30 / M-30 white sugar (Indian plantation-white) and raw cane sugar; ICUMSA 45 refined sugar is produced by a limited number of refineries. Any enquiry must be checked against the DGFT policy in force on the contract date.
HS note: The 2026 prohibition notice covered ITC(HS) 1701 14 90 and 1701 99 90; check other sugar lines individually.
Specifications
| ICUMSA colour | ICUMSA 45 (refined); about 100-150 for S-30 / M-30 plantation white; 600-1,200 raw (typical) |
|---|---|
| Polarisation | ≥ 99.8° refined/white; 96-99° raw (typical) |
| Moisture | ≤ 0.04-0.1% white; ≤ 0.15% raw (typical) |
| Ash | ≤ 0.04% refined (typical) |
| Grain size | S-30 small / M-30 medium crystal (Indian grading) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
S-30 / M-30 plantation white
Main Indian white sugar grades.
ICUMSA 45 refined
Refinery-grade white sugar (limited Indian supply).
Raw cane sugar
For refiners; the US TRQ allocation is raw cane sugar.
Organic sugar
Separate quota reported (DGFT Notification 51/2025-26) - verify.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 50 kg PP bags with inner liner | Container or break-bulk |
| Jumbo | 1 MT FIBC |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 25-26 MT · 40' HC about 26-27 MT (weight-limited). Weight-limited; comparable to bagged rice
Customisation: Grade and packing only; subject to export authorisation
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Maharashtra
Kolhapur, Sangli, Pune, Ahmednagar
Kolhapur-Sangli mill belt
Uttar Pradesh
Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Bijnor
Western UP mill belt
Karnataka
Belagavi, Bagalkot
Northern Karnataka mills
Market requirements by region
European Union
India holds a small EU CXL tariff-rate quota (5,841 MT for Oct 2025-Sep 2026, DGFT Public Notice 08/2025-26, allocated via APEDA); TRQ shipments were exempt from the May-2026 prohibition.
United States & Canada
India's US raw-sugar TRQ allocation was 8,606 MT raw value for Oct 2025-Sep 2026 (reported); TRQ exports were exempt from the May-2026 prohibition.
Africa
Djibouti (1.46 lakh t) and Somalia (1.35 lakh t) were the top destinations in the 2024-25 season (AISTA via IANS); East African demand is price-driven.
South Asia
Sri Lanka (1.34 lakh t in 2024-25) and Afghanistan are regular buyers when Indian exports are open.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
As of 2026-11: sugar is normally 'Restricted' (mill-wise quotas). DGFT Notification 16/2026-27 (13 May 2026) made raw, white and refined sugar (ITC HS 1701 14 90, 1701 99 90) 'Prohibited' until 30 Sep 2026 or further orders, with EU/US TRQ and government-approved shipments reported exempt and reversion to 'Restricted' if not extended. The 2026-27 season policy could not be confirmed - verify current DGFT policy before quoting. Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/business/india-bans-sugar-exports-with-immediate-effect-until-september-2026/
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment inspection by SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek
- • ICUMSA, polarisation and moisture analysis
- • Draft survey for bulk
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • APEDA RCMC
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • FSSC 22000
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
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)
- • Export authorisation / quota release order (when applicable)
- • Certificate of analysis
- • Weight and quality certificate
- • Phytosanitary certificate if required
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Sugar (raw/white/refined) | 7.8 | verified | ianslive.in |
Top destinations: Djibouti 1.46 lakh t; Somalia 1.35; Sri Lanka 1.34
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
Can sugar be exported from India now?
Sugar exports are tightly controlled. DGFT prohibited sugar exports from 13 May to 30 September 2026 (Notification 16/2026-27); the 2026-27 season policy must be confirmed with DGFT before any contract.
Do you sell ICUMSA 45?
Only when export is permitted and a refinery allocation is available; India's main export grades are S-30/M-30 plantation white and raw sugar.
What are EU and US sugar TRQs?
Small duty-preferential quotas India holds for the EU and US markets, allocated through DGFT/APEDA; these shipments were exempt from the May-2026 prohibition.
Why do you not quote sugar prices on request?
Because export eligibility depends on the government quota or policy in force, we first confirm that a lawful allocation exists before discussing terms.
Request a quote for Sugar (ICUMSA 45 Refined, S-30 White, Raw)
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
