Egypt in talks to ensure being unlisted in India wheat export ban

Egypt is negotiating with Indian officials about getting an exemption from India’s recent decision to ban wheat exports.

India banned wheat exports on Saturday days after saying it was targeting record shipments this year, as a scalding heat wave deflated production. In return, the domestic prices hit a high record. However, the Indian government said it would not withdraw exports already backed that issued letters of credit and to countries have shortage in food security.

“There are talks between India and Egypt on the highest levels to be part of the exemptions of this decision,” Egypt’s plant quarantine head Ahmed El Attar told Reuters.

Last week, a plant quarantine delegation headed by El Attar travelled to India to check the first Indian wheat shipment to Egypt. The shipment purchased by Egypt’s private sector, which amounted 55,000 tons.

The shipment has passed with many examinations in one of the international laboratories accredited by the European Union under the supervision of El Attar, Egypt’s agriculture ministry said in statement.

After the examination, it revealed that the shipment subjected to the Egyptian quarantine requirements. In addition to its cultivation in areas free of serious stone diseases.

More than 45,000 tons out of 63,000 tons were already loaded on the ship before the export ban announced, El Attar added.