Govt Extends Soda Ash Import Price Cap Till Dec 31

The central government has extended the Minimum Import Price (MIP) of ₹20,108 per tonne on soda ash imports until December 31, 2025. The move aims to safeguard domestic manufacturers from cheap overseas supplies and ensure price stability in key sectors.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced the extension in a notification issued on Monday. “Minimum import price (MIP) @ Rs 20,108 per ton on import of disodium carbonate (soda ash) has been extended up to December 31, 2025,” the notice stated.

Soda ash, also known as disodium carbonate, is a critical industrial input used across multiple sectors including glass manufacturing, detergents, paper, and various chemical processes. India imports soda ash from countries such as China, Turkey, and the European Union.

The extension of the MIP is expected to protect the interests of domestic soda ash producers from aggressive pricing by foreign suppliers, especially in the face of global overcapacity and rising import volumes.

The MIP mechanism serves as a trade barrier, ensuring imported goods are not priced below a certain threshold, thereby avoiding dumping practices that can undercut domestic industry.

Industry experts see this move as a continuation of the government’s broader push to support indigenous manufacturing and ensure fair trade practices in the Indian market.