Contracts for export of 30-35 lt of wheat during April-July; more than 70 lt exported in 2021-22
Traders have entered into contracts for the export of 30-35 lt of wheat for the four-month period of April-July. The country's wheat exports crossed 70 lt in 2021-22 as against 21.55 lt in 2020-21.
The scarcity of wheat created by the Russia-Ukraine war in the global market has offered an opportunity for exports from India. Traders have entered into contracts for the export of 30-35 lakh tonnes (lt) of wheat for the four-month period of April-July, Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey told reporters. The country's wheat exports crossed 70 lt in 2021-22 as against 21.55 lt in 2020-21.
The maximum quantity of wheat will be shipped from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh because of the proximity of these states to ports and easier logistics, Pandey told reporters. As a result, private traders are procuring wheat for export from these states. If international prices rise further, traders may buy the grain from other states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Pandey said that with private trade procuring wheat for export, there might be a reduction in government procurement but it was too early to say. The government is, however, monitoring the situation regularly. Last week, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the country's wheat exports could cross 100 lt during 2022-23.
The Food Secretary also spoke about sugar exports. He said that 80 lt of sugar was expected to be exported in the current sugar marketing year 2021-22. In the 2020-21 sugar season, India exported 72.3 lt of sugar. As per figures from the All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA), 58.1 lt of sugar has been exported from October 2021 to 7 April 2022.
