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| Source: newsclick.in |
The Novel coronavirus continues to haunt
countries since WHO declared it pandemic. Since 11 March 2020 the number of
countries affected by coronavirus has risen from 114 to 211 till 7 April 2020. Coronavirus's
advent has staggered the economies globally affecting everyone.
In India, from the day of announcement of country lockdown, it has resulted in
halting of various industries. In the agriculture sector, particularly fruits
and vegetables have come to standstill, affecting the logistics, supply chain,
demand, and supply, directly showing its outcomes on its producers. India's
export share in fruits and vegetables mainly comprises of West Asia and East
European market but the global lockdown has heavily affected the same. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development
Authority (APEDA) has observed a 16 per cent decline in India's fruit and
vegetable exports from $1.19 billion to $1 billion for the period between April
2019 and January 2020 and for the same period the previous year. The period
from April to June is particularly important for mango and grapes' export but
by the time lockdown will be over it would already result in huge losses. Some
exporters have expected a loss of 30-40 per cent in export in the current
season. The grape crop which was exported 110072.109 MT in the year 2018-19 has
suffered 73048.9 MT loss in export for the year 2019-20 with the exported
quantity of 84051.004 MT (traceability, APEDA). The sealing of state borders in
India has also resulted in staggering progress in the supply chain of Fruits
and Vegetables throughout the country.
ICAR, the apex agri-research body is assessing the impact of the COVID-19 on
agriculture and allied sectors to minimize its crippling effect on countries’
food security, which is already burdened with doubling the farmer’s income
goal. On the other hand, the European Union has relaxed the norm on imports of
Fruits and Vegetables. Earlier, a physical certificate has to be accompanied by
the lot, issued by export authorities, but now online certification will be
enough to make the process easier and faster. WTO has also dedicated a page on COVID-19
pandemic to provide relevant notifications to its members regarding the virus’s
impact on import and export and WTO activities.
This pandemic disease has created a
panic situation globally in terms of medically, economically, for food
security, research and development but has led all countries to work together
to eradicate it radically.
REFERENCE
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/COVID-19-eu-relaxes-fruit-veggies-imports-no-orders-from-us/articleshow/74854392.cms
https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/COVID-19-impact-fruit-veggie-exports-to-fall-30-40-on-global-lockdown-120032900509_1.html
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/icar-assessing-impact-of-COVID-19-lockdown-on-agriculture-allied-sectors/article31262156.ece
https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-COVID-19---11-march-2020
http://agritrade.iift.ac.in/html/Training/Product%20study/
https://traceability.apeda.gov.in/grapenet/MIS/BrowseforSummary.aspx
Good efforts!
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