Question : EXPORT OF FOODGRAINS

(a) whether the Government has exported wheat and rice in order to address the problem of storage of surplus stock of foodgrain reserves in the country during the last one year;

(b) if so, the total quantity of wheat and rice exported along with the rate at which they were sold in the international markets;

(c) whether the sale price of these products was below the economic cost of the Food Corporation of India for the year 2013-14;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the differences between both these costs?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE)

(a) to (b): There has been no export of rice from Central Pool Stocks during the last one year. However, Government has allowed export of 20 lakh tons of wheat in 2013-14 from Central Pool Stock surpluses through Central Public Sector Undertakings and these exports were to be completed by 30.6.2014.

Against 20 lakh tons, a quantity of 15.57 lakh tons has been exported till 30.6.2014 at a weighted average FOB price of US$ 282.39 per ton equivalent to Rs. 17,361/- per ton (1US$ equal to Rs. 61.48).

(c) to (e): The economic cost of wheat for the year 2013-14 (Revised estimates) is Rs. 19,324/- per ton and the weighted average FOB price realised in the export of 15.57 lakh tons was Rs. 17,361/- per ton. However, it would have also cost an additional Rs. 4,004/- per ton per annum as storage cost of this surplus wheat if not exported.