India permits import of 1 million tonne raw sugar duty-free
Permission under TRQ as domestic prices soar to record high of ₹55.70 a kg in New Delhi
India permitted the import of one million tonnes of raw sugar duty-free on Thursday, aiming to address the rising sugar prices and food inflation. The Commerce Ministry announced this under a tariff rate quota (TRQ) regime, with the imports set to expire on October 30, 2026. The government also granted a one-time conversion option for sugar imported under advance authorization to be treated as TRQ, which includes refined sugar produced from the imported raw sugar.
Companies would need to repay the previously exempted GST and sell the refined sugar exclusively domestically by October 31, 2026. The move aims to bolster domestic sugar supply and stabilize market prices, compensating for the loss of import duties by reclaiming GST while ensuring the final product remains within the country. This policy follows a surge in sugar prices in Delhi retail markets to a record high of ₹55.70 a kg, as global sugar prices have reached an 18-month high.
Written by urgent.news from Hindu BusinessLine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
