Lok Sabha Question No. 2901 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Export of Farm Products
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sunil Dattatray Tatkare

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2901 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20/12/2023

## EXPORT OF FARM PRODUCTS

## 2901.  SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that global farm prices have softened after reaching their highest levels in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine;
- (b) if so, its impact on Indian farm exports;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that agriculture exports declined by 11.6% in 2023 as compared to previous year;
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to increase exports of farm products?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) to (e) The Food Price Index maintained by Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United  Nations,  which  had  touched  a  peak  of  159.7  in  March  2022,  has  come  down  to  120.4  in November 2023, indicating a softening in global farm prices.

Due to fall in international prices, per unit value realizations on exports of several farm products such as tea, spices, cereals, cashew, guargum meal, fresh vegetables, dairy products, vegetable oils, castor oil, cotton etc. have declined during 2023-24 as compared to 2022-23.

Thus, During the period from April to September 2023, agriculture exports have declined by 11.6% compared to corresponding period of the previous year.

Besides the decline in international prices, which has impacted per unit value realizations, the restrictions imposed on export of essential food products, such as wheat, non-basmati rice, sugar and

onions,  to  ensure  domestic  food  security,  have  also  contributed  to  decline  in  value  of  agriculture exports in the current year.

The  Department  of  Commerce  provides  financial  assistance  to  promote  exports,  including exports of farm products, through Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme, and Export Promotion Schemes of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Tea Board, Coffee Board, Spices Board etc. Further, the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), a statutory organisation under the administrative control of Department of Commerce, is engaged in promoting exports of farm products. APEDA has been providing assistance to the exporters of farm products under various components of its Export Promotion Scheme.

A Farmer Connect Portal has also been developed for providing a platform for farmers, FarmerProducer  Organizations  (FPOs)  and  cooperatives  to  directly  interact  with  exporters.  Buyer  Seller Meets (BSMs) are organized in the clusters to provide export-market linkages. Regular interactions, through  video  conferences,  are  held  with  the  Indian  Missions  abroad,  to  assess  and  tap  export opportunities. Country specific BSMs, through Indian Missions, are also organized. Continuous efforts are also made to resolve market access, trade barriers, sanitary and phytosanitary issues in the sector.

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