India allocates 5,841 MT sugar export quota to EU

Parallel to US President Donald Trump’s tariff-related threats, India on Saturday notified sugar exports of 5,841 tonnes to the European Union under the tariff rate quota (TRQ) scheme for 2025-26.

The step to promote international trade was announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The TRQ is a quota that applies to a segment of exports entering the EU at relatively lower tariffs. Once the quota ends, higher tariffs apply for additional exports.

The allocation aims to boost sugar exports, provide market access to Indian producers and deepen economic cooperation. The move is also expected to support India’s farm sector by opening up new avenues for processed agricultural commodities.

The announcement was signed by Ajay Bhadoo, Director General of Foreign Trade and ex-officio Additional Secretary, reaffirming the government’s commitment to facilitating trade and expanding export opportunities for Indian producers.

The export window, the government said, spans from October 2025 to September 2026.

This allocation has been made under the authority granted to the ministry under the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023.

The policy mentions a special category of export of sugar to the EU under TRQ categorised as ‘Free’.

The Certificate of Origin — required to avail preferential access to the EU market — will be issued by the Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai, said the government.

This, the ministry said, would be done based on recommendations by the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which will evaluate the eligibility of exporters and determine the exportable quantities.

APEDA, headquartered in New Delhi, will serve as the implementing agency for managing this quota.