NEW DELHI, July 1: India, the world’s second biggest wheat producer, has shipped 1.3 million tonnes of the grain since the government lifted the export ban on the commodity in September 2011.
In view of bumper crop, the government decided to lift the ban on wheat exports in September, last year.
According to a Food Ministry official, “the country’s total wheat exports through private trade has touched 1.3 million tonnes so far.”
Wheat has been exported to various countries including the Middle East, the official said.
The official noted wheat exports have not been impressive so far but are expected to pick as the CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) of Indian wheat is lower than USD 315 a tonne as compared to Australia and the US.
At present, the government godowns are overflowing with record 82 million tonnes of foodgrains due to the record production of rice and wheat in the last few years.
In 2011-12 crop year (July-June), wheat production was at all-time high of 90.23 million tonnes.
To clear surplus stock, the government is mulling export of 2 million tonnes of wheat from its godowns.
Last week, as many as 17 nations including Japan, the Netherlands and Iraq, showed interest in importing wheat from India. The country is also in talks with sanction-hit Iran for export of wheat and is resolving the quality issues. (PTI)
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