The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has amended the export policy to 'free' from 'prohibited', according to an official notification on Monday.
As per the revised export provision, Wheat or Meslin Flour (Atta), Maida, Samolina (Rava / Sirgi), Wholemeal atta and resultant atta will now fall under the 'free' category.
To curb rising prices and cater to domestic demand, the Centre had put wheat and some wheat products under the 'prohibited' category for exports.
On May 13, 2022, India amended the export policy of wheat from ‘Free' to ‘Prohibited' and in August that same year the Centre extended this restriction to the export of Wheat Flour.
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The revision was prompted by the Russia-Ukraine war, which disrupted wheat supplly globally, created hefty demands for Indian wheat and sent domestic prices soaring.
In order to ensure food security of 1.4 billion people of the country, the decision was taken to put a prohibition on export of wheat in May 2022.
Earlier, there was a policy not to prohibit or put any restrictions on the export of Wheat flour. Therefore, a partial modification of the policy was required by withdrawing the exemption from ban/ restrictions on export for Wheat Flour in order to ensure food security and put a check on mounting prices of Wheat flour in the country.
However, certain exceptions were made post the implementation of this policy, with certain types of wheat products being exported without restriction.
In February this year, export of 25 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of wheat along with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products was allowed by central government, in light of higher availability of stock.
"In view of higher stock availability, softening prices, expected higher production, and the need to prevent distress sales during peak arrivals, the Government's decision to permit export of 25 LMT of wheat and 5 LMT wheat products will help stabilise domestic prices, improve market liquidity, ensure efficient stock rotation, and further strengthen farmers' income while national food security," the government said in a press release.
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