On May 12, India's Ministry of Commerce & Industry said it was preparing to send delegations to nine countries to export a record 10 million tonnes of wheat this fiscal year - sharply up the previous season. But a barrage of alarming data changed all that.
Bangladesh has imported some 1.5 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat from India since the country banned exports of the grain last month. The numbers were revealed by Indian Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey, who was addressing a press briefing, on Wednesday, reports Indian media. Pandey said, "There are many countries [which have requested import of wheat from India].
India on Friday banned exports of wheat to check the rising domestic prices. Soon after the announcement, Group of Seven (G7) industrialised nations' said India's move to restrict wheat exports "would worsen the crisis" of rising commodity prices.
It is distressing news that our single biggest exporter of wheat, India, has put a curb on export of the food grain. Bangladesh happens to be the single biggest importer of Indian wheat.
The government said it would still allow exports backed by already issued letters of credit and to countries that request supplies "to meet their food security needs".