NEW DELHI: India's tobacco export, the third largest in the world has surged by almost 28 per cent to Rs 301 crore in June this year on better price realisation and rise in shipments.
"Exports have risen mainly due to price competitive of Indian tobacco in the global market," a senior Tobacco Board official said.
Tobacco exports, comprising raw tobacco and products, rose by 7.54 per cent to 17,426 tonnes in June compared to 16,203 tonnes in the previous fiscal, he said.
"Tobacco exports have increased in value terms to Rs 301 crore in June from Rs 236 crore in the same period last year mainly due to rise in shipment of raw tobacco," he said.
Shipment of raw tobacco rose to 15,331 tonnes from 13,044 tonnes during the review period, while their export value also jumped to Rs 244 crore from Rs 178 crore in the same period, he added.
Export of tobacco products stood at last year's level at Rs 57 crore in June, though volumes slumped to 2,095 tonnes, compared to 3,159 tonnes in the previous year, he said.
At present the best quality raw Indian tobacco is quoting on an average 5-6 dollars per kg in the overseas market, against 3-4 dollar a kg in the previous year, the official said.
The country exported tobacco worth Rs 1,048 crore during the first three months of the current fiscal. India is estimated to have produced 314 million kg of tobacco in 2008- 09, compared to 252 million kg a year-ago.
Source : The Economic Times