From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday banned export of the wheat flour as unscrupulous traders had started exporting it since after the wheat export was banned in the month of May.
Officials said the step was felt necessary because of a sudden spike in the domestic prices of the wheat flour in view of the increased demand in the international markets. It said the demand for the flour has increased in foreign markets to the tune of 200% in April-July 2022 compared to the corresponding period in 2021.
They said the demand for the Indian wheat has gone up since otherwise Russia and Ukraine were the major exporters of wheat accounting for around 1/4th of the global wheat trade that has been hit by their conflict affecting the wheat supply chain.
India had earlier never put any restrictions on the export of wheat flour but the government had to take care of the food security to 1.4 billion people of the country.
