Basmati rice exports dip in Apr-Dec '07

However, the value realisation by the basmati exporters has increased to Rs 32,000 per tonne from Rs 26,000 a tonne during the period under review.      "In terms of value, the exports of basmati rice have increased to $593.14 million during April-December 2007 compared to $431.85 million in the corresponding period of previous fiscal," a senior official said.     

According to the data compiled by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the floriculture exports have declined to $63 million from $71.61 million, while that of fruit and vegetable seeds rose to $25.39 million from $16.8 million.     

Fresh fruit exports remained constant at $215 million while fresh vegetable exports increased to $268.36 million from $239.47 million.     

In processed fruit and vegetable categories, country's exports have dipped by 4.41 per cent to $346.53 million from $362.53 million.     

However, there is 21 per cent jump in exports of meat and meat products and over 75 per cent rise in poultry and dairy products. In other processed food segments like alcohol and beverages, the exports have jumped by about 30 per cent to 677.08 million from $522.80 million.     

The total export of APEDA-listed 14 products has seen over 42 per cent jump at $4,658 million dollar during April to December 2007 as compared to $3,271.34 million in the year-ago period despite rupee appreciation.      The average cost of a dollar was Rs 45.58 between April and December, 2006 against Rs 40.67 in April-December of 2007.