Groundnut shelling units get relief on export front

The move is expected to boost peanut export

In what is expected to boost groundnut exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has relaxed hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) certification norms for exports of the commodity. HACCP certification for exports to the European Union (EU) will, however, remain unchanged.

HACCP is a process control system designed to identify and prevent microbial and other hazards in food production, according to Bureau of Indian Standards.

According to a notification issued by APEDA, peanut and peanut processing units, including integrated peanut processing units, peanut shelling units, peanut grading units, peanut shelling-cum-grading units and peanut godowns, can submit documentary evidence that they have implemented HACCP certification or secured Food Safety & Standards Authority (FSSAI) registration or licences by June 30.

In January 2013, APEDA had made HACCP certification mandatory for shelling units, after receiving several complaints on the quality of peanuts imported from various countries. Subsequently, APEDA had asked peanut and peanut processing units to submit evidence that they had initiated concrete measures to secure HACCP certification.

Mukund Shah, president of the Gujarat Oilseeds Processors Association (Gopa), said, “Through the past year, we had been fighting for this relief; it will benefit small scale units involved in groundnut shelling. We are expecting good export of peanuts this summer.”

Gopa says after the rules related to peanut exports by APEDA in 2013, about 85 per cent shelling units had become non-functional, as it was difficult for small units to comply with HACCP certification norms. “It was a very crucial period for us, as our business suffered after new rules came into effect last year. India could have exported one million tonnes of peanuts, as kharif groundnut production was estimated to be more than double this year. But we could not avail of this,” said Shah.

Kishor Tanna, chairman of Indian Oilseed and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC), said, “The new rules definitely provide relief to small shelling units financially, as HACCP certification costs Rs 2-3 lakh.”

According to the APEDA notification, the units with FSSAI registration/licences will have to follow aflotoxin limits according to the norms of importing countries and, in absence of any specified limit, they have to follow Codex standards.

According to data provided by IOPEPC, in the April 2013-January 2014 period, India had exported 408,933 tonnes of groundnuts. For 2012-13, total exports stood at 535,670 tonnes.

“The final figure for groundnut export might exceed 535,000 tonnes,” Tanna said.

The owner of a Junagadh-based groundnut shelling unit said, “Many of us had shifted to other businesses in 2013, following the new rules introduced by APEDA. But now, we are expecting a good time, as the government has provided relief in certification.”