The ongoing war between US-Israel and Iran has started affecting Indian exports, more than 300 containers filled with frozen food and other perishable items are stuck at Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT). According to CNBC-TV18 report, clearance of these containers was stopped on Saturday afternoon, due to which the shipments bound for Dubai, Iran, Kuwait, Sharjah and Doha got stuck at the port. It is being told that these containers also contain frozen food items along with grapes, onions, fruits and vegetables, due to which exporters are worried about the loss caused by the delay.
Custom House Agent Govind Singh said that my 15-20 containers containing products worth Rs 3-4 crore are stuck at JNPT since yesterday. Exporters of key commodities are also keeping a close eye on the situation. All India Rice Exporters Association President Satish Goyal said that our containers are stranded, but we do not have the exact number yet. We are monitoring the situation. The number of stranded containers will be cleared soon.
Indian exporters send Basmati and non-Basmati rice to many Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, Qatar and Oman. About 80% of India’s basmati rice exports go to the Gulf region, out of which about 35% of total basmati exports go to Iran alone. With tensions rising in West Asia, exporters fear that prolonged disruptions could significantly impact trade flows and increase logistics costs.
At Mundra Port in Gujarat, around 2,000 containers, mostly carrying cargo of rice, are stranded. One vessel was already late and was expected to arrive on 26 February. Due to the delay, many containers were already on hold. The changed date of arrival of the vessel was 28 February. By then, the Iran controversy had started. Sources said that due to Iran dispute and delay in the vessel, about 2,000 containers are stuck at Mundra Port.
trade between india and iran
The total trade between India and Iran in the financial year 2020-21 stood at $2106.17 million. During this period, India’s exports were 1774.69 million dollars, which was 0.61% of India’s total exports. At the same time, the import was 331.48 million dollars, which was 0.08% of the total import.
India-Iran trade in 2021-22
- The total trade between the two countries declined to $1914.47 million in the financial year 2021-22. In this, India’s export was 1451.09 million dollars, which was 0.34% of the total export. Import increased to 463.38 million dollars, which was 0.08% of total imports.
- Trade in 2022-23- There was improvement in trade between India and Iran in the financial year 2022-23. Total trade reached 2331.24 million dollars. India’s exports stood at $1659.12 million, which was 0.37% of the total exports. Import was recorded at 672.12 million dollars, which was 0.09% of total imports.
- Decline in 2023-24- The total trade in the financial year 2023-24 was 1847.40 million dollars. During this period, India’s exports decreased to 1222.26 million dollars, which was 0.28% of the total exports. At the same time, the import was 625.14 million dollars, which was 0.09% of the total import.
- Business in 2024-25- The total trade between India and Iran in the financial year 2024-25 was recorded at 1682.98 million dollars. India’s exports during this period were 1241.15 million dollars, which was 0.28% of the total exports. Imports decreased to $441.83 million, which was 0.06% of total imports.
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