1.   

Export grows by 21% in April 2011- March 2012 at US $ 303.7 Billion: Commerce Secretary

India’s exports for the last year (April 2011 to March 2012) have registered a growth of 21%, at US $ 303.7 billion. Interacting with the media persons here today, Shri Rahul Khullar, Commerce Secretary, informed that during the same period the imports were US $ 488.6 billion with a growth of 32.1% and a Balance of Trade stood at US $ (-)184.9 billion.

2.   

Maharastra State exports 28,000 tonne grapes to EU countries

Grape growers in the state have exported 28,136 tonne table grapes to European Union(EU) countries between February and April 18 this year. The amount is 7,308 tonne more than what was exported to the EU countries in the corresponding period last year.The amount of grapes exported to the EU countries in this period last year was 20,828 tonne.

3.   

Guar Crop in India to Climb on Prices, Boosting Exports

Farmers in India, the world’s biggest guar gum exporter, may plant more of the crop to benefit from a ninefold surge in prices, boosting supplies for oil industry users such as Halliburton Co. (HAL) and Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI) Area under the crop may climb as much as 20 percent in the season starting July 1 from 3.5 million hectares (8.6 million acres) this year, said Rajesh Kedia, director at Jai Bharat Gum & Chemicals Ltd.

4.   

Iran starts feed grain imports as sanctions bite

Iran's state feed agency SLAL is tendering to buy corn and soybean meal, European traders said on Wednesday, needed to feed the country's large livestock herds as private importers struggle with trade financing due to Western sanctions. The purchase tender for 150,000 tones of corn and 100,000 tones of soybean meal grain sought shipment in May/June and the closing date for offers was said to be early next week, the traders added.