India has exported 7.75 lakh tonnes of sugar in the 2024-25 marketing season (October 2024–September 2025), according to the All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA).
The top export destinations were Djibouti (1.46 lakh tonnes), Somalia (1.35 lakh tonnes), and Sri Lanka (1.34 lakh tonnes), with Afghanistan receiving 75,533 tonnes.
Sugar exports for the season were permitted by the government on January 20, 2025, with a total export quota of 10 lakh tonnes. Of the 7.75 lakh tonnes exported between February and September 2025, white sugar accounted for 6.13 lakh tonnes, refined sugar 1.04 lakh tonnes, and raw sugar 33,338 tonnes. Additionally, 21,000 tonnes of raw sugar were delivered to SEZs as deemed exports.
AISTA has requested the government to announce the 2025-26 sugar export quota by November 2025 and maintain the same allocation and exchange policy among mills as in 2024-25.
India, the world’s second-largest sugar producer, is expected to have sufficient surplus for exports in the upcoming season, supporting local sugar prices and ensuring timely payments to farmers.
Department of Food and Public Distribution Joint Secretary Ashwini Srivastava said that next season’s sugar output looks strong. After meeting domestic consumption and ethanol production needs, there will be adequate stocks for exports. A record 4.8 billion litres of ethanol is expected to be produced from sugarcane-based feedstock. Domestic sugar consumption is projected to rise to 28.5–29 million tonnes from the current year’s 28 million tonnes.