Agriculture Current Affair 21 August 2020

India’s spices exports cross $3 billion in 2019-20

Robust demand in the overseas markets saw India’s spices exports cross the $3-billion mark targeted for 2019-20.

The exports rose to 11,83,000 tonnes, garnering ₹21,515 crore ($3.03 billion) — a growth of 8 per cent increase in volume, 10 per cent in rupee terms and 8 per cent in dollar. The export target was 10,75,000 tonnes, valued at ₹19,666.90 crore ($2.85 billion)

During 2019-20, 225 spice items were exported against 219 items in 2018-19. Chilli, mint products, cumin, spice oils and oleoresins, and turmeric continued to be the major contributors in the spices basket.

Wholesale onion prices up at ₹2,100/quintal in Lasalgon

Wholesale prices of onion in Nashik district soared to ₹2,100 per quintal. This is for the first time in the last six months the bulb is ruling between ₹1,200 and ₹2,100. The average price of onion remained stable at average ₹1,750 per quintal for the last couple of days.

“In the last few days, the market is abuzz that onion supply in South India is affected because of heavy rains. This has resulted in wholesale price rise. The wholesale rates which were stagnant at ₹800-900 per quintal soared to ₹1,600-1,700. The onion market has become volatile,” said Nashik-basked trader Nitin Jain.

Covid-19 inflicts a ₹308-crore loss on Kerala’s shrimp production

Kerala’s shrimp production has suffered a loss of around ₹308 crore owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA).

A CIBA study on shrimp aquaculture found that the unprecedented circumstances following the pandemic led to significant reduction of shrimp production of up to 500 tonnes in the State, leaving thousands of people unemployed.