New Delhi, April 7 -- The government may cap sugar exports if the approved quota is not fully utilised, with surplus supplies likely to be diverted towards ethanol or carried forward as stock, Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, said today.

"If it is not exported, then the export will be capped so that it can be diverted towards Ethanol," Chopra said on the sidelines of the ISMA SugarNXT 2026, adding, "If it is not exported, then it will remain with us in terms of the closing balance."

The government had earlier approved exports of 1.5 million tonnes of sugar for the current season, of which a portion has already been shipped. However, exports continue to face challenges due to parity issues, even as g...