India wheat, non-basmati rice export ban may continue: USDA

09/03/2011 12:00 - 383 Views

NEW DELHI: India is unlikely to lift ban on export of wheat and non-basmati rice in the wake of high food inflation and food security concerns, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said in its latest report.

India had suspended wheat exports in early 2007 and non basmati rice in 2008 due to high inflation in the country.

"The government of India may continue to ban exports of wheat and non-basmati rice due to ongoing food price inflation and food security concerns," the report said.
Pegging India's wheat output at 83 million tonnes (MT) in 2011-12 marketing year (April-March), the USDA said, "Despite forecasted record production, strong government procurement and abnormally high stocks, the government is unlikely to lift the ban on wheat exports due to continued food inflation concerns".

PTI, Mar 6, 2011, 11.09am IST
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com