India extends pulses export ban for one more year

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NEW DELHI, Mar 24 (Commodity Online): World's largest producer and consumer of pulses, India extended exports ban of the commodity for one more year. According to Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notification, the new date of extension is March 31, 2012. India banned pulses banned exports of pulses and the ban has stayed in place since, though it has been reviewed from time to time. The commodity has a weight age of 0.72 per cent in the wholesale price index. Exports of Kabuli chana and organic pulses, with a ceiling of 10,000 tonnes, was allowed, DGFT said. The country's total pulses output in 201011 is likely to rise to 16.51 million tonnes from 14.66 million tonnes a year ago, the farm ministry said. Chana or gram, a winter-sown pulse, accounts for nearly half India's total pulses production. Notwithstanding expected bumper production of pulses during 2011-12, India is likely to import 3.40 million tonnes of the commodity, the government had said recently.