NEW DELHI: Parliament was informed that, from $43.23 billion in 2013-14, India's agricultural exports have declined to $33.87 billion in 2016-17.
Low commodity prices in the international market is the primary reasons for decline in export of agricultural commodities, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said "which has made our exports uncompetitive."
Including plantation and marine products, import of agricultural commodities in 2016-17 rise to $25.09 billion from $15.03 billion in 2013-14.
Export and import of agricultural products depend on various factors such as availability, international and domestic demand and supply situation and quality concerns, she added.
The minister said, "Edible oils and pulses, which are in short supply in India, account for the bulk of India's import of agricultural products."
During the past three years, the share of agricultural exports in total exports of the country has declined marginally, said Sitharaman, in a separate reply.
From 12.59 per cent in 2014-15, it has declined to 12.26 per cent in 2016-17.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
