Sugar trade body AISTA seeks export quota reform to boost shipments

The Sugar Trade Union Aista asked the government to allocate export quotas to mills who want to send export quotas from their facilities and said that the current system prevented exports and hurts the profitability of the mill.

All India Sugar Trade Union (AIST) said that the existing quota system, which distributes limited export allocations based on past production to all mills, allowed the mills that lead to remote or export to the others to sell their quotas to others and to leave significant amounts unstable.

“This leads to factories that are in remote places or are not interested in exports to sell export quotas to others. Even a significant amount remains discontinuous, which results in something higher than the desired sugar stock with mills.” He said.
Candy exports are currently controlling government volumes through quotas distributed proportionally between mills.

Aista also criticized the 50 percent export tax imposed since January 15, 2024 and said that he could not increase the local supply as aimed.

The Association, said in a statement, C-Heavy molasses, India’s contribution to the ethanol program remained below 2 percent, he said. The commercial body argued that limited exports damage non -distillation mills, and disrupt their ability to export molasses and pay on time to sugar cane farmers. According to AISTA data, India exported 6,44 lakh tons of sugar to the 2024-25 marketing year (October-September) until 8 August (October-September). On January 20, 2025, the government allowed sugar export for 2024-25 and allowed a total of 10 lacquer posts for the marketing year.