Date:21/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/07/21/stories/2006072104141200.htm

Back `Sugar export ban can't be indefinite'

Our Bureau

Coimbatore , July 20

The ban on sugar exports would be reviewed by the Centre considering the prospects for increase in sugar production this year, according to Ms Radha Singh, Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture.

She did not give any timeframe for such a review, only stating that against last year's sugar production of 19 million tonnes, the sugar output for 2006-07 is expected to be 22 million tonnes or more.

"The imposition of ban on the sugar export, therefore, can't be indefinite and we will have to review this," she told newspersons on the sidelines of a national seminar on organic horticulture held at the Tamilnadu Agricultural University (TNAU).

Farm exports

Ms Singh said agriculture exports in 2005-06 had been impressive. Of the Rs 50,000 crore worth of agricultural products exported during the year, rice provided the momentum, followed by cashew and raw cotton.

A volume of about 43 lakh bales of cotton was exported last year.

With the country expected to record another good cotton crop this year, thanks to the widespread adoption of Bt cotton, the commodity would gain importance in the basket of exports, she added.