The Government, from time to time, keeps receiving representations from various quarters on various aspects related to agricultural export policy. This issue was also raised by Sh. Raju Shetty, MP in the Parliament.

The export of agricultural products depends on various factors including availability of surplus over and above the requirement of buffer stock including strategic reserve, concerns of food security, diplomatic/humanitarian considerations, international demand and supply situation, quality standards in the importing countries, varieties traded and price competitiveness, need to balance between remunerative prices to the growers and availability of agricultural products to common man at affordable prices. The Government takes into the above factors before deciding on the export/ import of agricultural commodities. During last two year, the Government has decided to remove the ban on the exports of wheat, non-basmati rice, sugar, milk products, wheat products (sooji and maida) and various value added agricultural commodities. In the case of Pulses and edible oils, where the country is facing scarcity, restrictions on exports have been maintained but some premium varieties of these products have also been made free for exports

It is the well established practice in Government of India to consult all relevant stakeholders before framing any policy.

The information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Dr. D. Purandeswari in Lok Sabha today.

Agricultural export policy balances surplus, food security and market factors, allowing selective removals and restrictions. Agricultural export policy applies a multi-factor assessment prioritising availability of surplus beyond buffer/strategic reserves and food security, together with diplomatic/humanitarian concerns, international demand supply, quality standards, varietal distinctions and price competitiveness to decide export/import measures. The Government consults stakeholders before framing policy; in recent years it removed bans on several staple and value added items while maintaining restrictions for scarce commodities like pulses and edible oils, allowing some premium varieties to be exported.