India's maize output is placed at 10.5 m.t., marginally below 10.8 m.t. of last year. World corn trade for 1999-2000 is forecast to reach 69 million tonnes, marginally up from the previous year. Exports from US are projected to decline by close to 3 m.t. Increased exports from Argentina and China were expected to encroach into US world market share, USDA said. Not with standing the strained political relations between the two countries, Pakistani rice is expected to flow into India in some measure.
Some more consignments are on the way.
As per extant policy, import of rice with minimum 50 per cent broken is permitted. While the value of the imported material is about Rs. 7,800 a tonne, the local market is much higher at Rs 9,000-9,500 a tonne. Even after accounting for clearing, forwarding and incidental expenses, there is a clear profit margin of Rs 800-1,000 a tonne, according to traders. Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Abdussalam, Associate Professor and Head, Cashew Research Station, Madakkathara, said in Kozhikode was much need for scientific pest control management to enhance production of cashew.