Agricultural exports from Punjab declining since 2017-18: Govt data

Chandigarh, Apr 6 (KNN) While the neighbouring states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh experienced an increase in agricultural exports from 2017-18 to 2021-22, Punjab faced a decline of USD 567 million in its exports during the same period.

The key exports from Punjab include Basmati rice, non-Basmati rice, buffalo meat, citrus fruits (sweet mandarin), cereal preparations, natural honey, cereals, alcoholic beverages, fruit and vegetable seeds. The products are exported to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Vietnam, the US and the UK.

The data was shared by the Union ministry of commerce and industries in the Lok sabha on Wednesday.

The state’s agri exports amounted to USD 1,545 million in 2017-18, however, since then, there has been a consistent decline in exports. The figures dropped from USD 1,402 million in 2018-19 to USD 1,267 million in 2019-20, followed by a further fall to USD 1,161 million in 2020-21 and eventually to USD 978 million in 2021-22, it data showed.

The commerce ministry also informed that India’s total agricultural products’ exports increased from USD 38,881 million in 2017-18 to USD 50,208 million in 2021-22.

Gujarat was the highest exporter of agricultural products worth USD 9,228 million in 2021-22 followed by Maharashtra at USD 8,370 million and Andhra Pradesh at USD 6,439 million.

The central ministry also informed that the exports of wheat has declined after its export was prohibited in May 2022 and the monthly exports of non-basmati rice from September 2022 onwards have also remained lower than the pre-restrictions level of August 2022, reported TOI.

It was also informed that with effect from June 1, 2022, export of sugar is allowed only with specific permission from the directorate of sugar in the department of food and public distribution. This has been done to prevent uncontrolled export of sugar and to ensure sufficient availability of sugar for domestic consumption at a reasonable price.  (KNN Bureau)