June 5, 2012

India asks Malaysia on exploring bulk grain imports

India, with surplus wheat stocks, has asked Malaysia to explore possibility of shipping grain in huge quantities from the country.

The country, the world's second largest wheat producer, is grappling with the problem of plenty after an estimated record wheat output of 90.23 million tonnes in the 2011-12 crop year (July-June).

"I made a suggestion to Malaysia to consider importing wheat in bulk from India," Food Minister K V Thomas told reporters after the meeting with Malaysia's Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, here. The Southeast Asian country has been asked to consider wheat imports from India both through private trade and diplomatic route, he said.

Currently, India is working on various options, including wheat exports to various countries to ease domestic storage crisis, which is mounting as rice and wheat stock in the government godowns has already crossed 70 million tonnes, against the storage capacity of 63 million tonnes.

The government's food grain stocks have risen due to record procurement in the last few years following bumper production.

The Malaysian delegation is on a six-day visit to India to strengthen bilateral relations. Bilateral trade between India and Malaysia touched a record US$12.5 billion in 2011.