Foodgrain Exports Touch 12.5 Mt

Foodgrain exports have crossed 12.5 million tonnes. In addition, exporters are estimated to have procured firm orders for the export of another 2 million tonnes by the end of May.

Foodgrains already bought by exporters from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and shipped to various destinations include nearly 3 million tonnes of rice and 9.5 million tonnes of wheat.

Exporters had booked another 1 million tonnes of rice and 1.2 million tonnes of wheat with the FCI, according to official sources.

The jump in exports and the increased outgo from the public distribution system (PDS), especially to below the poverty line households, have pushed the total offtake of foodgrains from the central grain pool to over 6 million tonnes in the first two months of the current fiscal. This marks a 73 per cent increase in offtake over the pervious year