Common Salt Exports Up 22% in Apr-Dec ’10-11 .

New Delhi, March 7: India’s common salt exports increased by 22 per cent to 24.88 lakh tonnes during April-December 2010-11 year-on-year on account of the increasing demand in the overseas market, Parliament was informed today.

“The demand for export of salt from India to various countries has increased by 22.1 per cent during the year 2010-11 (up to December) compared with 20.38 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period previous fiscal,’’ the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Mr Jyotiraditya Scindia, said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

During April-December 2010-11, the country produced 145.05 lakh tonnes of common salt. The Minister further said that adequate stock is available to meet the demand for exports. In 2009-10, the country exported 28.96 lakh tonnes, while the production was 239.51 lakh tonnes.

In another reply, Mr Scindia said the fragile global economic recovery and consequent slower demand growth in the developed markets pose a challenge to Indian exporters in accessing overseas markets for their products.

During April-January 2010-11 fiscal, India’s total merchandise shipments grew by 29.3 per cent to $184.63 billion vis-a-vis the year-ago period.

Source : thehindubusinessline.com