Maize makes up for rice at Kakinada port

While 56,060 tonnes of maize worth Rs 42.43 crore was exported through the anchorage port during 2006-07, it increased to around 600,000 tonnes worth Rs  559.10 crore in the year 2007-08.

Further, 200,800 tonnes of maize was exported in April and May 2008-09. At present, seven vessels are waiting for handling maize cargo at the port whereas last year, there was no cargo handling during April and May.

"We expect the export of maize to reach 800,000 tonnes this year," port officer Diwakar told Business Standard. Maize is being exported to Vietnam, Malaysia among other countries from the Kakinada port.

The Centre's move to ban rice exports is having an adverse impact on the Kakinada anchorage port as the port earns most of its revenues through rice exports.

The ban, which came into effect from April 1, is aimed at containing the price of the commodity. However, the Centre has allowed rice exports to Bangladesh under a food aid programme.

The anchorage port handled 40,19,025 tonne of cargo worth Rs 4,980.48 crore during 2007-08.

Of this, rice exports accounted for 20,25,077 tonne worth Rs 2,255.17 crore during the year.