Kakinada: Exporters expect that nearly 370 lakh metric tonne of rice will be exported in the coming financial year 2021-22 out of which 35 lakh to 40 lakh MT will be from Kakinada if there are relaxations in ocean freight charges.
Exporters expect a bumper paddy crop from Telangana state, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh during the Rabi season and are engaged placing purchase orders from millers. But, there was a setback as ocean freight charges were hiked abnormally. Besides, the trade is suffering from a scarcity of containers.
The freight charges have been escalated from $45 to $94 per MT and the shipping trade said that it will hamper rice exports. According to sources, the charge on parboiled rice is $385 per MT, raw rice $367 and raw-broken rice $274.
Cocanada Chamber of Commerce director Mamidapalli Satya Kumar said that if the ocean freight charges are relaxed and if there is any improvement in container availability, more rice could be exported.
According to sources, the AP Maritime Board earned Rs 280 crore this year against Rs 220 crore last year, out of which Rs 40 crore came from the anchorage port. Satya Kumar said that the anchorage port capacity is 40 lakh MT, which it may reach next year.
