India considers duty-free sugar imports

India, the world's largest sugar consumer, is considering a series of measures to rein in record domestic sugar prices ahead of the festival season (August-November). These measures include allowing limited duty-free sugar imports for the first time in nearly a decade, lowering stockholding limits for bulk traders, cutting import duties, and adjusting monthly sugar sales allocations for mills. The government is also considering curbing the amount of sugarcane diverted to ethanol production in the upcoming season to boost sugar output. Wholesale sugar prices in India — Kolhapur, India — Maharashtra, have risen nearly 20% since the start of August to a record 5,350 rupees per 100 kg. The government has not yet made a final decision, but if implemented, imports could support global sugar prices while easing domestic supply constraints.