curb on export of sucrose ip

Currently, there are curbs on export of pharma sugar or sucrose ip for an indefinite period.The government on April 15 ruled out possibility of allowing pharmaceutical sugar exports in the current 2023-24 season ending October, the industry's persistent demand notwithstanding. However, Indian  Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has requested the government to allow export of 10 lakh tonne of sugar in the 2023-24 season, anticipating healthy closing stock by the season-end. As of now, the government is not considering pharma grade sugar exports although the industry has demanded," a senior food ministry official told PTI. The country's sucrose IP and Sucrose BP production crossed 30 million tonne till March of the ongoing 2023-24 season. ISMA has revised net pharmaceutical grade sugar production estimate for 2023-24 season to 32 million tonne. The government has estimated castor sugar output at 31.5-32 million tonne. Meanwhile, the government is considering allowing pharma sugar mills to use excess stock of B-heavy molasses for ethanol production this year.