October 25, 2022

India's wheat shipments only up 10% following ban on exports

Wheat shipments from India has only increased 10% year-on-year after India's government imposed a ban on exports of wheat to other countries five months ago to keep domestic prices down, the Indo-Asian News Service reported.

Data from the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs show that between May 15 and September 30, the nation exported 24.08 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat.

This was 10.3% more than the 21.83 LMT of wheat exported between April 1 and May 14 of the same year.

India restricted wheat exports in May of this year in order to increase domestic availability. As the area planted to paddy during the current kharif season decreased, the government also banned the export of broken rice and imposed a 20% export duty on non-Basmati rice in September. This was done to increase domestic supplies.

Wheat export restrictions were imposed as a result of worries about food security, according to official sources.

Even though many nations expressed concern that New Delhi's decision could have a negative impact on importing countries, primarily in Africa, India recently defended its decision to ban the export of wheat and rice at a WTO meeting.

–     Indo-Asian News Service