High export duty of 30% deny Indian players edge in chrome ore trade

Fimi wants abolition of duty as inventory rises; there is no duty on ferrochrome where unhindered exports are happening

A steep export duty of 30 per cent has made exports of low grade chrome ore and chrome concentrates unviable. This has led to African countries such as South Africa and Gabon stealing a march over India in seaborne chrome trade. Until a few years back, India was a significant player in chrome ore trade, especially chrome concentrates that fetched good premiums in the export market.
 
With exports no longer lucrative, the inventory of low grade chromite, which has no use in the domestic market, had piled up to 2.5 million tonnes at mine heads by the end of