Maharashtra seeks higher sugar MSP, ethanol support as export ban hurts sugar industry
Maharashtra urged the Centre to raise sugar MSP and ethanol prices and procurement quotas to support mills and farmers amid the May 13–September 30, 2026 sugar export ban. The state said it is pursuing the demands, with Amit Shah assuring early consideration.
The Maharashtra government has urged the Centre to increase the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar and enhance the price and procurement quota for ethanol, saying the state is actively pursuing these demands to support the sugar industry and sugarcane farmers affected by restrictions on sugar exports.
The issue was raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, where concerns were expressed over the financial difficulties faced by more than 200 private and cooperative sugar mills and sugarcane growers despite record sugar production during the 2025-26 crushing season.
Replying to the discussion, Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil said the state government has requested the Centre to increase the MSP for sugar as well as the price and procurement quota for ethanol produced by sugar mills. He added that the government is continuing to follow up on these demands.
The issue was raised by MLCs Sadashiv Khot, Pravin Darekar, Prasad Lad, Dr. Parinay Fuke and Uma Khapre, who sought details of the steps taken by the state government after the Centre imposed restrictions on sugar exports.
In his written reply, Patil said sugar export policy falls under the jurisdiction of the Central government. He noted that the Centre, through a notification issued on May 13, 2026, imposed an immediate ban on sugar exports until September 30, 2026, or until further orders.
The legislators also questioned the state government’s efforts in view of the possibility that the export ban could be extended beyond September 30, 2026, affecting the sugar industry, sugarcane farmers and the state’s economy.
Patil said a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was held on March 24, 2026, to discuss the challenges facing the sugar sector. It was decided that a state delegation would meet the Central government to discuss various demands that fall under its jurisdiction.
Accordingly, a delegation led by the Chief Minister met Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on May 27, 2026, and presented the issues faced by cooperative sugar mills in detail.
According to the minister’s written reply, the Union Minister agreed that the Centre would take positive decisions on the issues raised at the earliest.
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Source : ChiniMandi
