Indias groundnuts hit by poor weather and pests

01 December 1998

India’s groundnuts hit by poor weather and pests

INDIA has been forced to increase imports of edible oils because of flat domestic production and a forecast of rising demand.

Imports are now expected to top 2.4 million tonnes during the current season (November-October).

Customs duties have been reduced by 10% to 15% to ensure that the domestic shortfall in supply is met by imports.

Groundnut production has been hit by a combination of unfavourable weather and the occurrence of pests.

Poor weather and insect attack have not dented soyabean production, however – it is up 310,000 tonnes at 5.81m tonnes.

India has harvested a bumper cotton crop.

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  Financial Times 01/12/98 page 38