New Delhi: The Union government has prohibited sugar exports with immediate effect till September 30, in a move to have adequate availability and keep domestic prices under check amid concerns over inflation, lower production, The Times of India reported.“Export of Sugar is prohibited with immediate effect till September 30, 2026, or till further orders, whichever is earlier,” read the notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Union commerce ministry, amending the ITC (HS) Codes from “restricted” to “prohibited”.This includes the export of raw sugar, white and refined sugar. Sugar exports are regulated under government control through quotas distributed proportionally among mills.The Hindu Businessline had earlier reported that banning sugar export could also potentially help the government to control domestic prices when global rates are predicted to jump in April-June quarter.Meanwhile, the government said that the ban would not apply to Sugar being exported to the European Union and the United States under the CXL and Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangements, as per the prescribed procedure in the respective public notices.The government has also exempted consignments that are already in the export pipeline and said it would be allowed under specific conditions. Exports under the Advance Authorization Scheme (AAS) would also continue under provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, and the Handbook of Procedures, 2023.India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of sugar, and the second-largest exporter. According to PTI, for the 2025-26 sugar marketing year (October to September), the food ministry initially allowed 15 lakh tonnes in exports, then opened an additional 5,00,000-tonnes pool, of which only 87,587 tonnes were approved.As a result, nearly 16 lakh tonnes of sugar export were allowed.India’s sugar production rose 7.32% to 27.52 million tonnes till April in the 2025-26 marketing season, driven by higher output in Maharashtra and Karnataka, according to Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association.Back in 2022-23, India had imposed an export restriction on sugar after facing a shortage. Despite a bumper output in 2023-24, no shipment was permitted.