Govt may lift ban on wheat exports

The government today said that it is considering to lift the three-year-old ban on wheat exports on the back of estimates of record production this year and huge stocks lying in godowns.

"It is under consideration," Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar said when asked whether the government would lift the ban on wheat export, considering huge stock in the central pool.

India had banned wheat exports in early 2007, when the government had to import to meet its buffer stock requirement.

Wheat production of India, the world's second largest grower, is estimated at record 80.98 million tonnes in 2009-10 crop year against 80.68 million tonnes in the previous year.

The government has so far procured nearly 22 million tonnes in 2010-11 marketing year (April-March) against a record purchase of 25.4 million tonnes last year.

Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had said early this month that wheat procurement is expected at 24.5-25 million tonnes in the current marketing year.

Although there is a ban on wheat exports, the government had allowed shipments of wheat, though in a limited quantity, to neighbouring countries and African nations on diplomatic grounds.