Food Minister KV Thomas today said the government will take a decision on allowing further sugar exports in the next 10 days.
In April, the government had allowed 5,00,000 tonne of exports under Open General Licence (OGL), which means shipment without any restrictions.
The industry, however, demanded yesterday that further export of 1.5 million tonne should be allowed in view of the higher domestic output in the current sugar year (October 2010-September 2011) and expectations of a bumper production in 2011-12.
"We will take a view on more sugar exports within 10 days," Thomas told reporters after meeting the representatives of Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) and National Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factories (NFCSF).
Thomas pointed out that the retail price of sugar is not declining much and the ministry will consider allowing further export after assessing the price situation.
Retail prices are ruling at Rs 30-32 per kg in most parts of the country.
Sugar production in India, the world's second largest producer and biggest consumer, is estimated at 24.2 million tonne in 2010-11 season as against 18.8 million tonne in the previous season. The annual domestic demand stands at 22-22.5 million tonne.
In 2011-12 season, the production is estimated at 26-26.5 million tonne.
