Lok Sabha Question No. 4978 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-26
Subject: Export of Grapes and its Products
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SANJAY(KAKA) RAMCHANDRA PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4978(H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 th  MARCH,2018

## EXPORT OF GRAPES AND ITS PRODUCTS

## 4978(H). SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the quantum and value of grapes and its products including currants etc. exported from the country during the last three years;
- (b) whether the excise duty on export worthy grape and its products including currants etc. has increased by Rs. 70 per kilogram and the Government is aware of its effects and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  of  Bangladesh  has  increased  the  import  duty  on  Indian grapes and its products due to which the export of grapes and its products including currants etc. is decreasing;
- (d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (e) the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  enhance  the  export  of  grape  and  its products including currants etc.?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) The details of the quantum and value of export of grapes and its products, during the last three years, are as under:

| Quantity in MT; Value in USD Million   | Quantity in MT; Value in USD Million   | Quantity in MT; Value in USD Million   | Quantity in MT; Value in USD Million   | Quantity in MT; Value in USD Million   | Quantity in MT; Value in USD Million   | Quantity in MT; Value in USD Million   |
|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
|                                        | 2014-15                                | 2014-15                                | 2015-16                                | 2015-16                                | 2016-17                                | 2016-17                                |
| Description                            | Quantity                               | Value                                  | Quantity                               | Value                                  | Quantity                               | Value                                  |
| GRAPES FRESH                           | 94,569.91                              | 158.04                                 | 1,32,647.6 0                           | 203.16                                 | 1,98,471.3 0                           | 267.04                                 |
| RAISINS                                | 12,325.64                              | 17.72                                  | 26,825.10                              | 31.16                                  | 30,859.09                              | 40.10                                  |
| SULTANAS AND OTHER DRIED GRAPES        | 554.76                                 | 1.01                                   | 1,556.34                               | 1.57                                   | 1,786.47                               | 2.18                                   |

Source: DGCI&S

- (b) The excise duty has been replaced by the Goods & Services Tax (GST) with effect from 1 st July 2018. The GST rate for fresh grapes is NIL whereas the GST rate for dried grapes and raisins is 12%.
- (c  &  d)  As  per  the  available  information,  the  MFN  rate  on  the  import  of  grapes  into Bangladesh has remain unchanged at 25% since 2014-15. However, there has been some increase in 2017-18 in the total incidence of import duties, due to changes in

other  components  in  the  duties.  During  the  Commerce  Secretary  level  talks  held between India and Bangladesh on 7-8 February 2018, the Indian side raised the issue of levy of high duty on import of grapes/raisins into Bangladesh from India. It was also highlighted that these products do not enjoy preferential access under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), as the products are in the sensitive list maintained by Bangladesh. It was  requested that the reduction in import duty  may  be operationalised by the removal of these products from the sensitive list under SAFTA. Bangladesh side took note of India's request and agreed to examine it.

- (e) The Agricultural &  Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA),  an  autonomous  organisation  under  the  administrative  control  of  the Department  of  Commerce,  has  the  mandate  to  promote  exports  of  agricultural  & processed  food  products,  including  grapes  and  its  products.  APEDA  provides assistance  to  the  exporters  of  agricultural  and  processed  food  products,  including grapes  and  its  products,  under  various  component  of  its  scheme  'Agriculture  & Processed Food Export promotion Scheme of APEDA' viz. Infrastructure Development, Quality Development and Market Development. In addition, Merchandise  Exports  from  India  Scheme  (MEIS)  assistance  of  5%  is  provided  on export  of  grapes  and  its  products.  Assistanceis  also  provided  to  exporters/State Governments under various  other  schemes  of  Department  of  Commerce  viz.  Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme etc.

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