Question : EXPORT OF WHEAT

(a) the total quantity of wheat and rice exported during each of the last three years and during the current year, so far, country-wise and also foreign exchange earned from it, year-wise;

(b) the target set for the export of wheat and rice during 2001-2002 and the last three years;

(c) whether the export of wheat and rice has shown declining trend during the current financial year;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor;

(e) the efforts made to reverse the trend and to achieve the target set for the current financial year;

(f) the countries from whom export orders for wheat and rice have been received during the year 2001-2002;

(g) whether the Union Government have initiated measures to boost export of wheat and rice; and
(h) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI ASHOK PRADHAN )


(a): The detailed data of imports and exports (including those on non-government account) are available in the monthly/annual numbers of Foreign Trade Statistics of India published by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, copies of which are available in the Parliament Library.

(b): There was no export target of wheat & rice from the Central Pool during 1998-99 and 1999-2000. The Government decided to offer 50 lakh MTs of wheat and 20 lakh MTs of rice for export from the Central Pool for 2000-2001. For 2001-2002, it has been decided to offer 50 lakh MTs of wheat and 30 lakh MTs of rice.

(c): No, Sir.

(d)&(e): Do not arise.

(f): Orders of export have been received by exporters from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Contonu, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Maldives, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, UAE, Vietnam, Yemen.

(g)&(h): The steps taken to increase export of wheat and rice from the Central Pool include the following:


(i) Offer wheat and rice from the Central Pool for export and maintain the export price of wheat and rice at internationally competitive levels.


(ii) To constantly monitor exports of wheat and rice and sort out the problems on this front.

(iii) Setting up Cleaning facilities at the Kandla Port for ensuring that acceptable quality of foodgrains are sent for export and

(iv) Creation of an Export Cell in the Department of Food & Public Distribution to deal with export of foodgrains in a focussed manner.