Groundnut exports may rise 20%

Groundnut export is expected to go up a whopping 20 per cent than the last year due to the bumper kharif harvest in major groundnut producing states like Gujarat and Karnataka.

Despite unseasonal rains, groundnut yeild in Gujarat is expected to be over three million tonnes, compared to 2.7 million tonnes last year during the same season. The acreage of sowing of kharif crop was high this time, supported by good weather condition through out the season.

1.67 million tonnes of groundnuts worth Rs 500 crore was exported during April 2004- March 2005 period, according to the data available with Indian Oilseeds and Produce Exporters Association.

Indonesia, the largest importer of Indian groundnut, had bought 62,586 million tonnes last year followed by Malaysia (45,229 million tonnes). UK, Philipines and Singapore are the other major importers.

The kharif sowing in Gujarat's Saurashtra region during June 2005 was 2.73 million hectare compared to 1.2 million hectare in the same period last year. Saurashtra is the main groundnut producing region in the country, accounting for 33 per cent of the crop's total normal acreage.

Unseasonal rains did not affect the output as farmers managed to resow on time. More rains are expected before the harvest, kindling the the hope of farmers and exporters.

"Kharif harvest will begin in Gujarat next month. Last winter, a substantial amount of groundnuts was exported from Gujarat. We expect the same this time too. Certainly, due to the high yeild, export will shoot up to record heights. Far east countries are the biggest buyers", said Saurabh Malhotra, partner, Sakuma Exports.

Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu and Orissa are the major producers of groundnut in India.