India's Sugar Sector
Production, Export, and Policy
India is the world's second-largest sugar producer (after Brazil) and one of the largest exporters in certain years. Sugar production in India is seasonal, tied to the sugarcane crushing season (typically October to March/April), and concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
- Estimated 2025-26 production: approximately 34.9 million tonnes (up 18% year-on-year), driven by recovery from 2023-24 El Niño-induced drought.
- The marketing year for sugar in India runs October to September.
- India's domestic sugar consumption is approximately 27–28 million tonnes per year; any surplus above this threshold plus buffer stock is potentially exportable.
- Export subsidies for sugar were withdrawn in 2023 under WTO pressure; since then, Indian exports depend on global price parity.
- The EU CXL quota and the US TRQ quota are preferential bilateral arrangements allowing specified quantities of Indian sugar at reduced duties — these are exempt from the blanket ban.
● Tracked since February 18, 2026 · last seen May 13, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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