Trade body Indian Sugar Mills Association on Monday expressed hope the government would allow an additional export of 3 million tonnes (mt), ensuring steady domestic prices, timely payment to growers and lower inventory levels which will ensure there are no additional costs incurred by the mills.

The government has allowed 6mt of the sweetener to be shipped till May 31 of the ongoing 2022-23 season. The government has said it could reconsider further quantities after assessing domestic production.

The food ministry has allocated a uniform export quota of 18.23 per cent of the three years average production of the sweetener in operational sugar seasons.

Mills can export themselves or through exporters or swap with the domestic sale quota of any other mills, it said.

The sugar season runs from October to September.