Exports of agriculture products monitored by APEDA saw a marginal decline of about 3 per cent in rupee terms and 9.9 per cent in dollar value terms in April this year compared with the same period a year ago. Exports during April were down at ₹18,179 crore compared with ₹18,718 crore in the same period last year.
The growth in shipments of rice – both basmati and non-basmati - was offset by a decline in exports of livestock products and cereals, such as wheat and maize, during the period.
As per the latest data released by APEDA, basmati exports were up at more than 4.24 lakh tonnes compared with 3.19 lakh tonnes a year ago on demand from Iran. Basmati shipments were up 56 per cent at ₹3,855 crore over ₹2469 crore. In dollar terms, basmati shipments registered a 45 per cent growth at $470 million ($324 million in a year ago).
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Non-basmati rice shipments grew in April to more than 14.2 lakh tonnes (13.5 lakh tonnes). In rupee terms, the shipments were up 18 per cent at ₹4,349 crore (₹3,675 crore). In dollar terms, the non-basmati rice shipments were up by about 10 per cent at $530 m ($482 million).
Buffalo meat shipments slip
Wheat shipments in April declined sharply to 1,631 tonnes (14.72 lakh tonnes). In rupee value, the exports stood at ₹4 crore (₹3,602 crore). The Centre had banned wheat exports in May 2022 to keep the domestic prices under check following a decline in output last year. Exports of other cereals, including maize, declined around 24 per cent to ₹521 crore (₹685 crore).
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Exports of livestock products during April were down by 4.4 per cent at ₹2,790 crore (₹2,919 crore). This decline in mainly on account of dip in shipments of buffalo meat, processed meat, animal casings, and dairy products.
Other products that witnessed a noticeable jump in exports include pulses, processed vegetables, and groundnuts. Exports of pulses doubled during April at 88,255 tonnes (44,332 tonnes). In value terms, pulses exports were up 115 per cent at ₹730 crore (₹339 crore). Similarly, the processed vegetables exports were up at ₹378 crore (₹278 crore) and shipments of processed fruits and juices were up at ₹531 crore (₹480 crore). Exports of fresh fruits saw an increase to ₹1,129 crore (₹869 crore).