New Delhi: The country's wheat exports more than doubled to $1.48 billion during April-September 2022-23 as compared to the year-ago period, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday.
The exports stood at $630 million in the year-ago period.
Though the government banned wheat exports in May, some shipments are allowed to meet food security needs of the countries that request for it.
"Wheat export rose to $1,487 million in April-September 2022 from $630 million in April-September 2021," the ministry said.
The global wheat supply has been seriously disrupted because of the Russia-Ukraine war. Both nations are major wheat producers.
The ministry also said exports of agricultural and processed food products rose 25 per cent during the six- month period of this fiscal year.
The overall export of Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) products increased to $13.77 billion in April-September 2022 from $11.05 billion in the same period a year ago.
For 2022-23, an export target of $23.56 billion has been fixed by APEDA and export of $13.77 billion has already been achieved in the six-month period, it added. Similarly, export of fresh fruits increased to $313 million during the period under reviews as compared to $301 million a year ago.
Export of lentils increased from $135 million to $330 million. Basmati rice exports too increased to $2.28 billion during April-September 2022 from $1.66 billion a year ago.
Shipments of non-basmati rice registered a growth of 8 per cent to $3.20 billion.
Similarly, export of poultry products rose 83 per cent to $57 million, while shipments of dairy products increased 58 per cent to $342 million.