Sugar can be exported sans subsidy only under tighter global mkts: industry

Commodity is quoting at $415-420 a tonne in global market currently; industry says price range of $435-440 will make exports without subsidy support viable

Exports of white sugar might not be viable without subsidy support if international prices don’t firm up further in the next few months, trade and industry sources said.

The Centre on Thursday reduced the subsidy provided on sugar exports from Rs 6,000 per tonne (Rs  6 per kg) to Rs 4,000 per tonne (Rs 4 per kg) this year, following improvement in international prices.

"Tight sugar supply situation in the global market has pushed up the international sugar prices to 4-year high. And, the firmness in international prices is expected to continue for the next 3-4 months unless sugar output from the