March 14, 2013

India to see 3.2% drop in corn output during 2012/13

India's corn output will suffer a 3.2% decline, from 21.76 million tonnes to 21.06 million tonnes, according to the Second Advance Estimates of Production of Foodgrains for the 2012-2013 forecast.

"In a globalised and market determined economy, there is always a competing demand on raw materials from different user industries," said Union Commerce & Industry Minister, Anand Sharma.

"At present, there is no such proposal to ban or restrict the export of corn.

"The export of agricultural products depends on various factors including availability of surplus over and above the requirement of buffer stock including strategic reserve, if any, concerns of food security, diplomatic/humanitarian considerations, international demand and supply situation, quality standards in the importing countries, varieties traded and price competitiveness, need to balance between remunerative prices to the growers and availability of agricultural products to the common man at affordable prices," said the minister.