FOODGRAIN EXPORTS FROM CENTRAL POOL

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Export of foodgrains from the central pool touched 50 lakh metric tonnes during the current financial year upto September 2003. A quantity of 68.78 lakh MTs of foodgrains was lifted for exports and 86.72 lakh MTs paid for during the same period. The total shipment of foodgrains during the last four years from 2000-01 upto September 2003 amounted to 225.22 lakh metric tonnes. Further, 301.42 lakh MTs. of foodgrains was lifted for export and 342.22 lakh MTs paid for.

A decision to export wheat from central pool was taken in November 2001 and for rice in December 2000.

During the current financial year shipment of foodgrains was the highest so far for a single month in September 2003 with the export of 11.34 lakh metric tonnes comprising 6.07 lakh MTs of wheat and 5.27 lakh MTs of rice.

The total export of wheat since the commencement of wheat export in November 2001 upto September 2003 touched 134.74 lakh metric tonnes. During the same period 168.69 lakh MTs of wheat was lifted for export and 202.14 lakh MTs paid for.The quantity of rice actually shipped during the same period is 90.48 lakh MTs while 132.73 lakh MTs was lifted for export and 140.08 lakh MTs paid for.