India Exempts Egypt from Decision Banning Wheat Exports to Foreign Countries

The Indian government said that New Delhi would allow the export of wheat shipments awaiting customs clearance after the federal authorities banned foreign sales of wheat last Saturday.

The government’s statement affirmed that India would allow wheat exports to Egypt.

"It has been decided that any wheat shipments delivered to customs for examination and registration on the customs system" on or before May 13 will be allowed to be shipped, the government said.

India banned wheat exports just days after announcing that it expected record exports of 10 million metric tons this year after being hit by a severe heatwave that damaged the crop, forcing local wheat prices to skyrocket.

The decision raised uncertainty, as Indian traders say that there are 2.2 million tons of wheat in the ports or in transit areas and that only 400,000 tons of them have letters of guarantee.