Firms can export sugar stuck at ports: Pawar

Sugar companies would be allowed to export the stocks that were stuck at the ports when the government imposed a ban on exports, Union Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said.

A notification to this effect would be issued soon, he added. However, no decision has been taken so far to remove the blanket ban on sugar exports.

"We would consider the withdrawal of export ban when the crushing season starts in October," Pawar said.

"This is a welcome move by the government and will provide a breather to those companies whose stocks were stuck at the ports. We hope that the government would soon withdraw the ban," said C S Nopany, president of Indian Sugar Mills Association.

According to industry sources, about 50,000 tonne of sugar of various companies was stuck at the ports after the ban and, naturally, the companies have been in a spot of bother as it was a sizeable quantity.

Simbhaoli Sugars, EID Parry and Renuka Sugar are among those which have been hit because of this. Both Simbhaoli Sugars and EID Parry have about 2,000 tonne of sugar each, stuck at the ports.

On July 4, the government notified a ban on sugar exports till March 31 next year following the recommendation of the Cabinet Committee on Prices.

On wheat import duty, the minister said private traders could be allowed to import wheat at zero duty, and the duty would not be reduced below 5 per cent.