Rice drives India's agri exports

EU stockists build inventory ahead of tighter quality norms

Farm exports, led by rice, jumped by 13 per cent during April-September as dealers overseas built up stocks amid fears of a ban by the EU, which strengthened quality norms.

According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), exports of agricultural products registered with it jumped to $8.73 billion in April-September from $7.69 billion in the corresponding period a year ago. In rupee terms, Apeda-registered exports jumped by 8.64 per cent to Rs 56,183 crore from Rs 51,499 crore.

The rise in farm exports was primarily driven by rice, both basmati and non-basmati, which contribute nearly