March 10, 2012

India's farm official calls to remove cotton trade ban

The agriculture minister of India has written to the prime minister requesting to remove a ban on cotton exports.

Sharad Pawar said he had been kept in the dark about the decision. India banned all exports of cotton amid a decline in production.

According to the Zimbabwean, disease has damaged crops in several states, cutting yields, and exports have been higher-than-expected because of strong demand from China, which takes about 80% of Indian production.

India is the world's second-largest producer and exporter of cotton. "This is a very serious issue," Pawar said in Delhi on Tuesday. "I was kept in dark on the issue and have requested the prime minister for revocation of the ban as our production is higher this year and farmers are complaining of falling prices," he said.

India banned cotton exports on Monday until further notice to ensure supplies for domestic mills amid a jump in exports.