Sugar · importers
India ranks sixth of 96 at $1.9B in the sugars and sugar confectionery chapter, a surprising place for one of the world’s biggest sugar producers.
| Market | HS 17 imports |
|---|---|
| United States | $7.2B |
| China | $4.2B |
| Indonesia | $3.6B |
| Germany | $2.6B |
| United Kingdom | $2.2B |
Figures are for the whole of HS chapter 17 (sugars and sugar confectionery); sugar is only part of it. Source: UN Comtrade, as reported by national authorities; latest available year per market.
India grows a great deal of sugar cane and is a major producer and exporter of sugar, so a $1.9B import figure needs an explanation. Part of it may be sugar confectionery, part may be specialty or refined sugars, and part may be raw sugar brought in for processing and re-export. The chapter total does not allow that to be split.
The chapter is 0.3% of India’s $697.7B imports and ranks 30th among its import chapters.
The United Kingdom is above at $2.2B and Mexico below at $1.9B. India’s 3.0% share of reported world imports is level with Mexico’s when rounded. Mineral fuels at $217.9B, pearls and precious stones at $89.4B and electrical machinery at $83.5B dominate the import bill. In such a market, a buyer will often ask you to state clearly which party pays if duties are changed after shipment, so have a standard clause ready and be prepared to negotiate it.
Sugar is a politically sensitive commodity in India, and export and import conditions have been changed by the authorities more than once in response to domestic supply and prices. Do not treat any figure here as a statement of the current position. Confirm duty, licence and quality conditions directly with the authorities and your buyer, and build price and timing flexibility into any contract.
Ask how the buyer would handle a change of rules while goods are at sea.
The $1.9B covers the whole of HS chapter 17. China, the Russian Federation, the United Arab Emirates and the USA lead the overall source list, which spans all goods.
Shipment data for the sugar heading names the consignees and shows cargo sizes. Use it to build a shortlist, then settle Incoterm, currency, payment terms and port before contacting each company via this site’s free marketplace.
Sixth of 96 markets at $1.9B in 2024, a 3.0% share of reported world imports.
Possible reasons include confectionery, specialty sugars and raw material for processing and re-export.
No. Sugar rules are adjusted often. Confirm with the authorities and your buyer.
Search sugar-heading shipment records and rank consignees by weight.
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