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India Bans Export of Sugar Amid Concern Over Domestic Supply

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India has banned the export of sugar with immediate effect on Wednesday till Sept. 30, in a bid to protect domestic supply and rise in sugar prices locally.

According to an order issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, the ban applies to raw, white, and refined sugar, as it moved the items from "restricted" to "prohibited" in the exports list.

It said shipments will be allowed if loading had started before May 13 or if consignments had already been handed over to customs authorities before the order took effect.

"The export of sugar shall be allowed on the basis of permission granted by the Government of India to other countries to meet their food security needs and based on the request of their governments," the order said.

However, the ban will not apply to sugar exports to the European Union and the US under existing tariff-rate quota and arrangements, the statement said.

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