The government has eased restrictions on duty-free imports of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar. Refiners now have up to two months from the date of filing the bill of entry to process the shipment and sell it in the domestic market. This change aims to enhance the supply of sugar and stabilize prices in the local market.
“The imports will add to supplies at a time when the new season is just beginning. The industry sees closing stocks for 2025-26 sugar season at about 3.2- 3.5 million tonnes- the lowest in about two decades.
Along with the early start to crushing, this should help improve availability and prevent the tightness seen this season from carrying forward,” the head of an international commodity trading agency said on condition of anonymity. The government said the imports were intended to “further augment domestic availability” ahead of the festive season.
Government Delays Sugar Market Entry
The government has authorized the import of raw sugar, which must be refined into white sugar before it becomes available to consumers. As a result, the imported sugar will not be immediately accessible in the market.
