India bans sugar exports till September 30

📌 Summary:

• India has banned the export of sugar (raw, white and refined) with immediate effect till September 30, 2026, to enhance domestic availability and contain prices

• The export policy was amended from "Restricted" (where a licence was required) to "Prohibited", per a DGFT notification dated May 13

• The ban does not apply to sugar exported to the European Union under the CXL arrangement and to the US under the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangement

• It also does not apply to shipments under the advance authorisation scheme

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — agricultural trade policy, food price management, and the use of export controls as a tool to balance farmer interests with consumer inflation

📝 Prelims Facts:

• The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued the notification, dated May 13, 2026

• The export category was changed from "Restricted" to "Prohibited" till September 30, 2026

• CXL (EU) and TRQ (US) arrangements allow specified sugar exports at reduced or zero customs duty

🔑 Key Term: Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) — a trade mechanism allowing a specified quantity of a product to be imported or exported at a reduced or zero tariff, with higher tariffs beyond that quota