Govt may ban sugar export for entire '23-24

India may shift sugar exports to the 'prohibited' category from 'restricted' for the entire 2023-24 (October-September) season, concerned about the impact of the weakest monsoon in five years on sugarcane crops in the major producing states of Maharashtra and Karnataka, two government officials said.

- Puja Das

Sugar mills can currently apply for an export quota under the restricted category, but moving to the prohibited category would mean a complete export ban.

"Sugar output is expected to fall to 30 million tonnes (mt) in the 2023-24 sugar season against domestic consumption of 27.5-28 mt due to El Nino compromising monsoon rain in August," one of the officials said.

"However, El Niño is anticipated to strengthen through 2023-24, which could lead to intensification of dry conditions during the next sugar season. This may lead to a further decline in sugar production during the 2024-25 season," the official added.