Sugar production in the current sugar season 2012-13 is estimated to be sufficient to meet the estimated domestic consumption requirement.  As such, large surplus production of sugar in this season is not expected at present.  Changes in export policy would be made, if considered appropriate depending upon the production, availability and international as well as domestic prices of sugar.  As regards revision of import duty, no decision has been taken by the Government so far.  The production, demand, import and export of sugar during each of last three sugar seasons and the estimated figures for 2012-13 are as under;

* Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, Kolkata

** Department of Revenue

N.A (Not Available)

As per data published by Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, Kolkata export of sugar from India during last three sugar seasons have been mainly to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Dijibouti, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Somalia & UAE etc and import of sugar in India was mainly from Brazil, Thailand, Myanmar, South Africa, Argentina and UAE etc.  There had been hardly any export/import of sugar during current sugar season 2012-13 so far.  The preferential quota for exports to European Union and USA are done by M/s. Indian Sugar Exim Corporation (ISEC) Ltd.  Government of India does not export or import sugar on its own account and exports & imports are undertaken by merchant exporters- importers as per their commercial prudence.  As such, the details about Indian agencies involved in the export / import process is not centrally maintained.

No incentive/assistance was provided to the exporters during the said period.

This information was given by the Minister of State (IC) for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Prof. K.V.Thomas in a written reply in the Lok sabha today.

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NCJ/ RV