The Food Ministry on Friday informed all the sugar mills that it has decided to allocate an export quota of 1.5 million tonnes (mt) of sugar during the 2025-26 season (October-September). The permits have been allocated on a pro-rata basis among all the operational sugar mills based on their average production during past three sugar seasons.
“All the sugar mills have been allocated a uniform quota of 5.286 per cent of their three years average production of sugar,” it said in the letter.
It also said that mills can export the permitted quantity of sugar either themselves or through merchant exporters/refineries until September 30. The last BL (Bill of Lading) date shall be on or before September 30. However, there is no indication yet from when the exports will be allowed.
Surrendering quota
If any mill does not wish to export its allocated quantity of sugar, they may surrender their quota before March 31, 2026, by informing the government, the food ministry said adding it may reallocate or redistribute such unutilized quotas to mills with better export performance or to willing mills.
Mills have also been allowed to exchange their export quota (partially/whole) with monthly domestic sales quota before March 31, 2026. However, exchange of export quota with domestic quota once permitted will not be reversed, it said.
Published on November 14, 2025