India exported about 7.75 lakh tonnes of sugar during the 2024–25 marketing year (October to September), according to the All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA). The government had allowed sugar exports starting January 20, 2025, with a cap of 10 lakh tonnes for the season. Between February and September, sugar mills shipped:
6.13 lakh tonnes of white sugar
1.04 lakh tonnes of refined sugar
33,338 tonnes of raw sugar
Around 21,000 tonnes delivered to SEZ refineries were considered “deemed exports.”Top destination countries included:
Djibouti: 1.46 lakh tonnes
Somalia: 1.35 lakh tonnes
Sri Lanka: 1.34 lakh tonnes
AISTA had earlier projected exports of up to 8 lakh tonnes, but the actual shipments fell short of that mark. To maintain momentum, the trade body is pushing the government to announce the export quota for 2025–26 early. It also recommends using the same quota allocation and exchange policy among mills as in the 2024–25 cycle. India, as the world’s second‑largest sugar producer, is expected to have enough surplus to support exports in the new season. Officials say that with domestic consumption and ethanol requirements met, the country could spare significant quantities for export.
