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Processed food

Export sugar confectionery

Hard candies, toffees, jellies and gum from Indian brands, mainly to Africa, South-East Asia and neighbouring countries.

Free to exportHS 1704
HS code
1704
Sugar confectionery not containing cocoa: chewing gum (1704 10), jelly sweets, boiled sweets, toffees and caramels (1704 90).
Export policy
Free to export
Free. Sugar itself (1701) has its own export controls, but sugar confectionery under 1704 is a separate line — confirm on DGFT.
Registrations
5
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 283 mn
to 128 countries

What is exported

Indian candy and toffee makers sell low-price, high-volume confectionery to Africa, South-East Asia and neighbouring countries, and Indian-flavour sweets to diaspora shops. APEDA groups confectionery with jaggery; that group’s main destinations in 2025-26 were Indonesia, Benin, Kenya, Tanzania and Cameroon.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Boiled sweets and hard candy (1704 90 20)High-volume, low-price lines.
  • Toffees and caramels (1704 90 30)Milk and fruit toffees.
  • Jellies and gummies (1704 90 10)Pectin-based jellies suit halal and vegetarian buyers.
  • Chewing and bubble gum (1704 10)Mostly large brands.

Where it is grown or made

  • Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR and HaryanaCandy and toffee makers.
  • Gujarat and MaharashtraAhmedabad, Mumbai and Pune.
  • Tamil Nadu and KarnatakaChennai and Bengaluru plants.

Export packing

  • Twist-wrapped or flow-wrapped pieces in jars or pouches, in master cartons.
  • Moisture-proof wrapping; avoid heat during storage and transit.

Who buys abroad

  • Distributors and wholesalers in East and West Africa
  • Importers in Indonesia and South-East Asia
  • Indian and South Asian grocery distributors in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and the Gulf

The quality buyers ask for

Additives
Only colours, preservatives and additives permitted in the destination, at permitted levels
Moisture and stickiness
Low moisture and suitable wrap so pieces do not stick in heat
Allergens
Controlled and declared to the destination’s list (the EU has 14 allergens; the USA includes sesame)
Shelf life
Buyers usually want at least two-thirds of the shelf life left on arrival

Certificates

  • FSSAI licenceRequiredCentral licence from FSSAI for the premises where the food is made, packed or stored for export. Apply on FoSCoS.
  • APEDA RCMCRequiredRegistration with APEDA, issued as an RCMC on the DGFT portal. Since 15 Sep 2026, a consignment up to ₹3 lakh FOB can go without it.
  • HalalOften askedAsked for by many buyers in the Gulf, Malaysia and Indonesia. Use a body the destination recognises.
  • ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000Often askedFood-safety management certification; FSSC 22000 is GFSI-recognised, which large retailers and brands look for.
  • US FDA food-facility registrationOften askedEvery facility making food for the USA must register with the FDA, and each shipment needs prior notice. Canned and acidified foods also need FCE/SID process filing.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Palletised cartons in 20-ft or 40-ft dry containers; mixed-product loads are common.

How it travels

Sea freight; LCL or air for samples and first small orders.

Storage

Cool, dry and away from sunlight; avoid heat inside containers in summer.

Shelf life

Typically 12–18 months for hard candy; less for toffees and jellies.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • EU retail packs (Regulation 1169/2011): name of the food, ingredients with allergens highlighted, net quantity, best-before or use-by date, storage conditions, the EU importer’s name and address, origin where required — in the language of the country of sale.
  • USA (21 CFR 101): product name, net quantity in US and metric units, ingredients, major allergens (including sesame), the packer’s or distributor’s name and place of business, Nutrition Facts unless exempt, and “Product of India”.
  • Gulf countries: Arabic text (Arabic plus English is normal), production and expiry dates, net weight, country of origin and importer details. Confirm current rules with your importer.
  • Some synthetic colours need a warning statement in the EU; halal markets may require the halal mark and certificate details.
  • Lot or batch number on every pack and carton, matching the invoice and packing list, so the goods can be traced and recalled.
Where to get it tested

Use an FSSAI-notified laboratory (fssai.gov.in → notified labs) or an NABL-accredited lab with your product and test in scope (nabl-india.org). APEDA-recognised labs are listed on apeda.gov.in → Quality → Recognised Organisations. Ask the buyer which lab reports they accept before you send samples.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • FSSAIFood business licence. Food exporters come under the Central licence; apply on FoSCoS and keep it valid for the premises you make or pack from.foscos.fssai.gov.in ↗
  • APEDARegistration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) for APEDA-scheduled products. Apply on the DGFT portal after you have your IEC.dgft.gov.in ↗
  • Buyer-country food registrationMany importing countries register the foreign plant or the product — for example US FDA food-facility registration, GACC registration for China, or product registration in some Gulf states. Check APEDA’s importing-country regulations page.apeda.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Only colours, preservatives and additives permitted in the destination, at permitted levels.
  • Labels made for the destination: ingredients, allergens, net quantity, best-before date, importer details and the language that country requires.
  • Halal certification is often asked for in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Gulf, especially for gelatin-based jellies.
How to start small

Start as a merchant exporter for an Indian candy maker that already has halal and export labels, and target distributors in East Africa or Nepal with a mixed container. Since 15 September 2026, a consignment worth up to ₹3 lakh FOB does not need an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27); licences that a law requires, such as FSSAI, still apply.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Synthetic colours permitted in India but restricted abroad (for example warning-label colours in the EU).
  • Sweets melting or sticking in hot containers — use moisture-proof wraps and avoid peak-summer transit without protection.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (5)
  1. APEDA — Jaggery and Confectionery (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  3. APEDA — Importing countries’ regulations
  4. FSSAI — FoSCoS food licensing portal
  5. DGFT Notification 36/2026-27 (15 Sep 2026) — no RCMC needed for consignments up to ₹3 lakh FOB

Trade data

Indian sugar confectionery exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 283 mn
+18.5% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +26.8%
US$ 223 mn → US$ 283 mn
Buyer countries
128
Average export price
US$ 1.18
per kg · 2,40,673 tonnes shipped · US$ 1.22 the year before
Benin: US$ 27.9 mnTanzania: US$ 17.6 mnNigeria: US$ 16.7 mnGhana: US$ 12.7 mnKenya: US$ 10.9 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 10.7 mnMozambique: US$ 8.8 mnNetherlands: US$ 8.2 mnUnited States of America: US$ 7.8 mnSenegal: US$ 7.1 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 5.2 mnTogo: US$ 4.9 mnOman: US$ 3.8 mnNepal: US$ 3.4 mnAustralia: US$ 3.4 mnBenin: US$ 27.9 mnBeninTanzania: US$ 17.6 mnTanzaniaNigeria: US$ 16.7 mnGhana: US$ 12.7 mnKenya: US$ 10.9 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 10.7 mnUnited Arab EmiratesMozambique: US$ 8.8 mnMozambiqueNetherlands: US$ 8.2 mnNetherlandsUnited States of America: US$ 7.8 mnUnited States of AmericaSenegal: US$ 7.1 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 5.2 mnTogo: US$ 4.9 mnOman: US$ 3.8 mnNepal: US$ 3.4 mnAustralia: US$ 3.4 mnIndia
Where Indian sugar confectionery goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 121 mn1212020-212021-22: US$ 154 mn1542021-222022-23: US$ 184 mn1842022-232023-24: US$ 225 mn2252023-242024-25: US$ 223 mn2232024-252025-26: US$ 283 mn2832025-26
India’s sugar confectionery exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2025-26 — a 10% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 1.22 per kg2021-22: US$ 1.28 per kg2022-23: US$ 1.30 per kg1.302024-25: US$ 1.22 per kg2025-26: US$ 1.18 per kg1.182020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian sugar confectionery · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 121 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 154 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 184 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 225 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 223 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 283 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 334 mn (US$ 304 mn – US$ 368 mn)3342026-272027-28: US$ 392 mn (US$ 352 mn – US$ 436 mn)3922027-28
India’s sugar confectionery exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 392 mn

Likely range US$ 352 mn to US$ 436 mn.

Trend
+17.3% a year
Fit (R²)
0.96
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1BeninUS$ 27.9 mn+282.9%
2CameroonUS$ 23.7 mn+70.1%
3TanzaniaUS$ 17.6 mn+60.8%
4NigeriaUS$ 16.7 mn-5.2%
5GhanaUS$ 12.7 mn+58.2%
6SomaliaUS$ 12.4 mn+36%
7KenyaUS$ 10.9 mn+107.8%
8United Arab EmiratesUS$ 10.7 mn-0.8%
9DR CongoUS$ 9.2 mn-18.5%
10ChadUS$ 9.1 mn-7%
11MozambiqueUS$ 8.8 mn+132.1%
12NetherlandsUS$ 8.2 mn-10.5%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. BeninUS$ 7.3 mn → US$ 27.9 mn+282.9%
  2. UgandaUS$ 1.2 mn → US$ 3.4 mn+179.5%
  3. MozambiqueUS$ 3.8 mn → US$ 8.8 mn+132.1%
  4. Saudi ArabiaUS$ 2.3 mn → US$ 5.2 mn+122.4%
  5. KenyaUS$ 5.2 mn → US$ 10.9 mn+107.8%
  6. CameroonUS$ 14 mn → US$ 23.7 mn+70.1%
  7. TanzaniaUS$ 10.9 mn → US$ 17.6 mn+60.8%
  8. GhanaUS$ 8 mn → US$ 12.7 mn+58.2%

Low demand

  1. Burkina FasoUS$ 3.1 mn → US$ 1.9 mn-39.9%
  2. AngolaUS$ 9.6 mn → US$ 6 mn-37.2%
  3. CanadaUS$ 3.5 mn → US$ 2.7 mn-23.7%
  4. DR CongoUS$ 11.3 mn → US$ 9.2 mn-18.5%
  5. NepalUS$ 4 mn → US$ 3.4 mn-13.2%
  6. NetherlandsUS$ 9.2 mn → US$ 8.2 mn-10.5%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Boiled sweets whether or not filled1704 90 20 · Sugar confectionery,, not containing cocoaUS$ 125 mn+48.1%1,12,897 tonnesUS$ 1.10 per kgwas US$ 1.16
Other sugar confectionery, not containing cocoa1704 90 90 · Sugar confectionery,, not containing cocoaUS$ 114 mn+4.4%97,328 tonnesUS$ 1.17 per kgwas US$ 1.20
Chewing gum whether or not sugar coated1704 10 00 · Sugar confectionery, chewing gum, whether or not sugar-coated, not containing cocoaUS$ 23.7 mn+47.9%19,498 tonnesUS$ 1.21 per kgwas US$ 1.30
Toffees,caramels and sim sweets1704 90 30 · Sugar confectionery,, not containing cocoaUS$ 14.9 mn+37.4%8,180 tonnesUS$ 1.82 per kgwas US$ 1.83
Sugar confectionery,, not containing cocoa — jelly confectionery1704 90 10US$ 6 mn+96.4%2,770 tonnesUS$ 2.16 per kgwas US$ 2.06

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 16.1 bn
2023
India among exporters
#19
of 153 countries
India’s share of world exports
1.3%
US$ 216 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 16.9 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1GermanyUS$ 2.13 bn 12.4%
  2. 2ChinaUS$ 1.59 bn 9.3%
  3. 3MexicoUS$ 1.24 bn 7.2%
  4. 4SpainUS$ 994 mn 5.8%
  5. 5NetherlandsUS$ 991 mn 5.8%
  6. 6TürkiyeUS$ 907 mn 5.3%
  7. 7BelgiumUS$ 842 mn 4.9%
  8. 8USAUS$ 747 mn 4.4%
  9. 9PolandUS$ 679 mn 4%
  10. 10CanadaUS$ 653 mn 3.8%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 3.25 bn 20.2%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 1.06 bn 6.6%
  3. 3United KingdomUS$ 1.03 bn 6.4%
  4. 4FranceUS$ 642 mn 4%
  5. 5CanadaUS$ 633 mn 3.9%
  6. 6NetherlandsUS$ 613 mn 3.8%
  7. 7SwedenUS$ 382 mn 2.4%
  8. 8PolandUS$ 380 mn 2.4%
  9. 9ChinaUS$ 358 mn 2.2%
  10. 10BelgiumUS$ 334 mn 2.1%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

United States of AmericaUS$ 3.32 bnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 3.31 bn
GermanyUS$ 1.14 bnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 1.13 bn
United KingdomUS$ 1.03 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 1.03 bn
NetherlandsUS$ 714 mnIndia 1.1% · gap US$ 706 mn
FranceUS$ 684 mnIndia 0.2% · gap US$ 683 mn
CanadaUS$ 672 mnIndia 0.7% · gap US$ 668 mn
ChinaUS$ 360 mnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 359 mn
South KoreaUS$ 328 mnIndia 0.9% · gap US$ 325 mn
United Arab EmiratesUS$ 286 mnIndia 5.6% · gap US$ 271 mn
ItalyUS$ 269 mnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 268 mn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export sugar confectionery

World sugar confectionery trade is led by European, Turkish, Chinese and South-East Asian makers. India’s exporters compete in low-price candy and toffee for Africa, South-East Asia and neighbouring countries, where pack size and price point matter more than brand. APEDA groups confectionery with jaggery; that group went mainly to Indonesia, Benin, Kenya, Tanzania and Cameroon in 2025-26. The openings are halal, vegetarian (pectin) and Indian-flavour sweets, and private label for distributors.

  1. 01Choose the range

    Pick candies, toffees or jellies that suit the target market’s price points.

  2. 02Check colours and gelatin

    Replace non-permitted colours; use pectin or certified halal gelatin.

  3. 03Get halal certified

    Use a body the destination recognises.

  4. 04Make the export label

    Design a label for the destination’s law — not the Indian label — and have the importer approve it before printing.

  5. 05Protect from heat

    Pack in moisture-proof wraps and plan transit away from peak heat.

  6. 06Book, stuff and file

    Book the container, stuff it with a pre-shipment check, file the shipping bill on ICEGATE and get the certificate of origin and any health certificate.

  7. 07Get paid and close the file

    Send the original documents through your bank (or to the buyer if paid in advance). Once the money arrives, get the e-BRC and claim RoDTEP and drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting sugar confectionery

Does the sugar export policy affect candy?
Sugar (1701) has its own controls; sugar confectionery (1704) is a separate line. Confirm on DGFT.
Do I need halal certification?
Not by Indian law, but buyers in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Gulf usually require it.
What RoDTEP applies?
All sugar confectionery and gum under 1704: 0.5% of FOB.
Can I use my Indian label abroad?
Rarely. Each market has its own label law — make a separate export label and get the importer to approve it.
Do I need an RCMC for my first small shipment?
Since 15 Sep 2026, a consignment up to ₹3 lakh FOB can go without an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27). FSSAI and other legal licences still apply, and you need an RCMC to claim most export benefits.
Sources (5)
  1. APEDA — Jaggery and Confectionery (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  3. EU — Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers
  4. US eCFR — 21 CFR Part 101, food labelling
  5. FSSAI — Notified food testing laboratories

Who buys Indian sugar confectionery

All countries →

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