NEW DELHI (TIP): The export of fruit and vegetables, including processed food items, have risen 24 per cent in value terms to Rs 8,241 crore in 2011-12 over Rs 6,638 crore in the previous year.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry D. Purandeswari in a written reply to Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Exports of onions fell marginally to Rs 1,723 crore in 2011-12 against Rs 1,779 crore in the previous year. Fresh vegetables were up 43 per cent at Rs 1,299 crore (Rs 910 crore).

Similarly, the shipments of fresh fruits were up 48 per cent at Rs 736 crore (Rs 496 crore). The exports of fresh grapes increased to Rs 603 crore (Rs 428 crore), while walnuts increased to Rs 231 crore (Rs 166 crore). The exports of fresh mangoes stood at Rs 210 crore (Rs 165 crore). The effect of growth in export of fruits and vegetables on the Indian market does not seem to be visible as the share of exports of fruits and vegetables were only 0.55 per cent and 1.24 per cent, respectively, of their total production in 2010-11, the Minister said.