Business · India Bureau
India extends duty-free raw sugar imports through year-end
The government has prolonged its zero-duty window for raw sugar imports until December 31 to bolster domestic supplies. Industry data indicates approximately 260,000 tonnes have entered the country under the scheme so far.
LSN India ·
India's government has extended the duty-free import window for raw sugar through the end of the year, signalling continued efforts to manage domestic supply pressures in the sweetener market.
The extended timeline allows traders to continue bringing raw sugar into the country without tariff barriers, a measure designed to supplement indigenous production and stabilise local availability. Since the scheme's inception, around 260,000 tonnes of raw sugar has been imported under the zero-duty framework, according to industry sources.
The extension reflects ongoing concerns about sugar availability in the domestic market. By maintaining the duty-free window through December 31, policymakers aim to ensure adequate stocks heading into the new year while supporting price stability across the sector.
The raw sugar import scheme has become a key tool for balancing supply dynamics in India's sugar industry, which faces periodic constraints from monsoon-dependent cane production. The measure allows refiners and traders flexibility to source international supplies when domestic output proves insufficient to meet demand.