'No proposal to ban exports of maize'

Putting to rest talk of the government planning to ban maize exports, Commerce Secretary G K Pillai on Tuesday said there was no proposal to this effect.

Poultry and starch industries have been demanding a ban on maize exports, as prices of the coarse grain have surged in most spot markets on high export demand, despite a larger crop.

On an average, India exports about 500,000-800,000 tonnes of maize to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

This year, however, maize exports are seen higher at over 1 million tonnes on a global supply crunch and demand for Indian maize from Southeast Asian countries.

Starch manufacturers and poultry unit owners "" largest consumers of maize in India "" have been asking the government to ban maize exports since last year.

Though the government last year lowered the import duty on maize last year to ensure higher supplies, it has not introduced any curbs on exports, as domestic output is comfortable.

The government estimates year to June maize output at 16.8 million tonnes, up from 15.1 million tonnes last year.