MUMBAI, May 26 Reuters India sugar prices are likely to remain firm despite New Delhi39;s move to cap exports as stockpiles are set to fall to the lowest level in five years amid record shipments and robust local demand, industry officials told Reuters.

Higher local prices will keep margins intact of sugar makers such as Balrampur Chini, Shree Renuka Sugars, Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Dwarikesh Sugar and help them in making cane payments on time to farmers.

India on Tuesday imposed restrictions on sugar exports for the first time in six years by capping this season39;s shipments at a record 10 million tonnes, up from last year39;s 7.2 million tonnes.

Sugar prices are unlikely to drop because of the curbs as stockpile has depleted due to robust domestic demand and record exports, said Ashok Jain, president of the Bombay Sugar Merchants Association.

The government estimates opening sugar stocks at the beginning of the new marketing year on Oct. 1 could fall to 6.2 million tonnes, which would be the lowest in five years.

Sugar prices in Mumbai eased only 0.3 since the government announced the curbs.

Mills are not under supply pressure. This year consumption has gone up due to robust demand from icecream and cold drink makers, Jain said.

Consumption of cold drinks and ice cream, and as a result demand for sugar, rises in India during the summer months that run roughly from March to June.

This year, ice cream sales surged because of the heatwave, according to the Indian…