Despite PM’s foreign trips, agri export figures dip

Instead of witnessing a rise in the export figures, India’s export of agricultural and allied products has dipped from its last year data as during the period April 2015 – February 2016, the export figure was of Rs1,43,802.55 crore as compared to Rs 1,68,918.94 crore over the same period in the previous financial year.

“In order to boost export of other varieties of mangoes in Australia, the matter was pursued with the concerned Australian authorities to consider different varieties and other mitigation measures of hot water treatment and irradiation. 

“The approval for certification of three irradiation facilities for the export of irradiated mangoes from the western and southern parts of India is under process,” said Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. “In case of South Africa, the market access efforts are continuing. The National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, has sent required information to South African authorities and response from them is awaited,” the minister said.

For the export of grapes, the finalisation of import risk analysis is awaited from the USA, while in case of Japan and Vietnam, the import risk analysis with post-harvest mitigation measures is yet to be finalised by them, the minister said in her reply.

“As for China, India has already submitted priority list for market access of five fruits and vegetables to General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), China, as per their request for providing the priority list. Out of five products submitted in the priority list, the finalisation of protocol for okra is in the final stage and is pending with it,” the minister said.

The minister said that low commodity prices in international market, shrinking of global demand, high domestic prices, as compared to the international prices, unfavourable currency rate movements as compared to the competing countries, etc are the prime reasons for the decline.