April 10, 2013

Nepal to resume wheat exports to China

Nepal has said that it is prepared to resume wheat exports to China as local production is expected to record a surplus in 2013.

Wheat exports have been barred for the last few years due to the bleak food security situation. The government has suspended wheat exports to China although flour exports are permitted. The ban on rice exports has already been withdrawn.

"We are ready to lift the ban on wheat exports to China up to a certain quantity as we have adequate stocks," said Lalmani Joshi, secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies. "We can allow up to 10,000 tonnes of wheat to be exported." He added that the ministry had considered lifting the ban as the Ministry of Agriculture Development has confirmed that there are enough stocks for the country.

Despite a massive drop in the production of other cereals like paddy, corn and millet, the output of buckwheat saw a modest growth of 0.3% this year, according to the Agriculture Ministry.

With the resumption of wheat imports from India, the ministry sought to continue exports so that traders can sell domestic production to China for a higher price.