The Hindu Business Line : Marginal decline in oilseeds export

EXPORTS of groundnuts, sesame seeds and niger seeds during the 2004-05 fiscal declined marginally to 3,49,186 tonnes, valued at Rs 1,226 crore, from 3,85,256 tonnes worth Rs 1,288 crore in 2003-04.

The figure include groundnuts exports at 1,67,500 tonnes (Rs 502 crore) and sesame seeds at 1,57,255 tonnes (Rs 663 crore). Niger seeds exports increased by 42 per cent to 24,431 tonnes (Rs 51 crore) from 17,249 tonnes (Rs 44 crore) in previous year.

"Improved export performance in niger seeds in an otherwise downward scenario in general, clearly justifies decanalisation of exports for which our organisation was representing and making efforts year after year," Mr Kishore Tanna, Chairman of Indian Oilseeds & Produce Exporters Association (IOPEA), said at the 28th annual general meeting here.

"EU markets for groundnuts were practically out of bounds because of the continuing aflatoxin problem. Sudden tightening of checking methodology for sesame seeds in Europe made matters more difficult for our exporters," Mr Tanna said.

"It is, therefore, a matter of satisfaction that despite such hurdles, we have been able to perform well in our exports as figures indicates," he said.

Total estimated exports of safflower seeds, sunflower seeds and mustard seeds were reached at 16,749 tonnes valued at Rs 37 crore. "In the case of oilseeds such as safflower seeds, sunflower seeds and rapeseeds/mustards, we have to increase our productivity as well as develop export quality varieties to tap their export potential, he added."

Exports of groundnut oil were 48,000 tonnes valued at Rs 234 crore, down from 1,02, 706 tonnes valued at Rs 500 crore in the previous year. And, sesame oil exports were 800 tonnes valued at Rs 5 crore, up from 700 tonnes valued at Rs 4.36 crore.

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