India loses WTO dispute over sugar subsidies; set to file an appeal

In its response to WTO members over the concerns, India said the support given was largely to small and marginal farmers and was in accordance with its commitments at the trade body

India has lost the dispute over subsidies of sugar exports at the World Trade Organization (WTO) with the dispute settlement panel ruling against the country on a complaint that Brazil, Australia, and Guatemala had filed.

However, the ruling is unlikely to come into effect immediately because India is set to file an appeal against the report and lack of a functional appellate body at the WTO means a final decision on the matter is unlikely anytime soon.

“We find that, for five consecutive sugar seasons, from 2014-15 to 2018-19, India provided non-exempt product-specific domestic support to sugarcane producers in excess