India has banned the export of wheat with immediate effect as part of measures to control rising domestic prices. However, export shipments for which irrevocable letters of credit (LOCs) have been issued on or before the date of this notification will be allowed, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification on May 13.
The General Directorate of Foreign Trade (DGFT), in an official letter issued on Friday night, indicated that as a transitory provision the export of wheat will be allowed in those shipments that have issued the irrevocable letter of credit (ILOC) in or before May. 13
They added that export will also be allowed based on the permission granted by the Central Government to other countries to meet their food security needs and based on the request of their governments.
“The Government of India is committed to meeting the food security requirements of India, neighbouring countries and other vulnerable developing countries that are adversely affected by sudden changes in the global market for wheat and are unable to access adequate wheat supplies,” read the notification.
Earlier, The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Development Authority (APEDA) on Wednesday requested the Karnal-based Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR) to prepare comprehensive quality standards for wheat exports, including phytosanitary standards and waste.
This follows a first-of-its-kind meeting of all stakeholders, including farmers, traders and exporters in value chains, held in Karnal, Haryana. APEDA, in partnership with IIWBR, will conduct a series of such interactions in key wheat growing states such as Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, to raise awareness among stakeholders on the issue of wheat grain export.
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