From Chairman's Desk

Dear Friends,

Under merchandise exports, 14 of the 30 key sectors exhibited positive growth in February 2023 as compared to same period last year (February 2022). These include Oil Meals (220.96%), Iron Ore (51.37%), Spices (30.85%), Electronic Goods (29.85%), Fruits & Vegetables (17.42%), Gems & Jewellery (13.76%), Rice (11.75%), Ceramic Products & Glassware (11.5%), Other Cereals (10.65%), Oil Seeds (9.4%), Cereal Preparations & Miscellaneous Processed Items (5.22%), Marine Products (4.96%), Drugs & Pharmaceuticals (4.72%) and Mica, Coal & Other Ores, Minerals Including Processed Minerals (2.97%).

Under merchandise exports, 17 of the 30 key sectors exhibited positive growth during April-February 2022-23 as compared to the same period last financial year (April-February 2021-22). These include Electronic Goods (49.54%), Petroleum Products (49.5%), Oil Meals (44.12%), Tobacco (34.3%), Cereal Preparations & Miscellaneous Processed Items (16.12%), Rice (15.88%), Oil Seeds (13.36%), Other Cereals (12.15%), Fruits & Vegetables (11.16%), Leather & Leather Products (11.08%), Tea (10.03%), Coffee (8.17%), Ceramic Products & Glassware (7.62%), Organic & Inorganic Chemicals (3.91%), Rmg of All Textiles (3.28%), Marine Products (3.19%) and Drugs & Pharmaceuticals (3.14%).

Under merchandise imports, 16 out of 30 key sectors exhibited negative growth in February 2023. These include Vegetable Oil (-2.48%) and Pulses (-0.13%) amongst others.

Officials of the Council had a meeting with Shri Sunil Barthwal, |.A.S, Commerce Secretary Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and discussed regarding Oilseeds and trade related challenges. We have received a positive response from Shri Sunil Barthwal on the same.

Officials of the Council met with the Director General Foreign Trade, Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi to give an update on the Oilseed export scenario.

Officials of the Council also attended the meeting under the Chairmanship of Shri Anant Swarup, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, in New Delhi to discuss and monitor the progress of Export Target of NEA region achieved the till Jan 2023 against the India's Export Target of USD 470 billion for the year 2022-23.

The Council is hopeful that with the continued support for the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare the country can meet the set export target for Oilseeds for the year 2022-23.

With Best Wishes and Regards,

Nilesh Vira

(Chairman)