Thousands of tons of wheat seized in India due to export ban – Observer

Hundreds of thousands of tons of wheat have been blocked at a port in the Indian state of Gujarat due to New Delhi’s ban on grain exports.

was the measure announced by the government at the end of last week Who justifies the restrictions on the export of grain with High inflation and ‘food security’.

India bans wheat exports due to high global grain prices

India The second largest grain producer in the worldTraders were informed not to complete new exports without obtaining prior approval from the Executive Authority.

The announcement of the measure caused chaos in the port of Dendayal in the western state of Gujarat, where it is currently banned. About four thousand trucks loaded with grain.

Preventing four ships partially loaded with about 80,000 tons of wheat from transporting goods to the ports of destination.

Port officials announced that shipments carried out before May 13, the date of the ban imposed by New Delhi, could leave for countries such as Egypt or South Korea, due to previous agreements.

The Gandhiham Chamber of Commerce appreciates it About 400,000 tons of wheat From Pendjab, Harayana, Madhya Pradesh and other producing states are prohibited at Deendayal port and several nearby warehouses.

Teja Kangad, head of Gandhiham Chamber of Commerce, said that between 500 and 700 warehouses near Kandla port were “full of wheat destined for export”, lamenting that the government had not given advance warning of the measure that was implemented in the “sudden” way.

“This leads to chaos as truck drivers and traders do not know what will happen to the goods and the wheat cannot be kept permanently,” said Teja Kangad.

you Recently, the G7 agriculture ministers criticized New Delhi’s decision Considering that the measures “will exacerbate the crisis” related to raw materials.

G7 criticizes India’s decision to ban wheat exports

India had already announced measures in the context of the situation aroused by the invasion of Ukraine in February. Ukraine accounts for 12% of world grain exports.

India claims that the “ban” is aimed at ensuring the country’s food security.

On the other hand, the high temperatures felt in India affected the Indian wheat-producing regions, especially in the north of the country.

According to forecasts, Indian production in 2022 is expected to decrease by about 5% compared to the previous year.

The price of wheat hit a new record on Monday, reaching 435 euros per ton at the opening of the European market.