Agri exports rise 10% to Rs 24,119 crore during April-November.

India’s exports of agricultural and processed food products are set to increase significantly despite a decline in shipments of basmati rice, a key export item. According to the latest data from Apeda, during April-November 2010, the total volume of exports increased by close to 10% to Rs 24,119 crore from Rs 21,979 crore reported over the same period in the previous year.

This increase has been possible because of significant growth in exports of pulses, guar gum and meat products. However, Basmati rice exports declined by 12.27% in value terms during the first 8 months of the current fiscal. “We have received reports of Basmati rice exports picking up during the last two months. Exports started on a slower pace as there was huge inventories with importers from the previous stocks,”Apeda chairman Asit Tripathi said.

Total exports from the Apeda basket went up to Rs 34,450 crere in 2009-10 from Rs 34,450 in 2008-09. This was despite the government continuing to ban export of non-Basmati rice, which used to contribute around Rs 7,000 crore to Apeda’s export kitty.

During April-November 2010, pulses exports saw the highest rise, increasing 217% to Rs 585 crore from Rs 184 crore in the year ago period. Guar gum exports during the period went up by 139% to Rs 1,446 crore from Rs 603 crore in the previous fiscal. Meat products recorded a more modest 43% rise to Rs 5,337 crore from Rs 3,737 crore.

Source : fnbnews.com