January 21, 2009
India Oct-Jan corn exports plunge 67 percent on-year on prices
High prices caused India's corn exports during October-January to plunge to 50,000 tonnes, only a third of the level of the same period a year earlier, despite the removal of an export ban at the start of the marketing year in October, industry officials said Tuesday (January 20).
The country banned exports of corn from early July 2008 to October 15 to boost domestic supplies and curb inflation.
"Small shipments are happening, but it's not as great as last year," Amit Sachdev, India representative of the US Grains Council told Dow Jones Newswires.
The country exported about 3 million tonnes of corn in the crop year ended September 2008. About 150,000 tonnes was exported from October 2007 to January 2008.
Separately, Amol Seth, president of the All India Starch Manufacturers' Association, said total corn exports in the year ending September 2009 is expected to be around 1 million tonnes.
