Rice bran export gains momentum in Kakinada Port

Kakinada: Rice bran exports from Kakinada anchorage port have resumed after several years, even though paucity of storage space and steel barges is proving to be a hindrance. During the past two years, along with booming rice exports from the old, rice bran exports have showed considerable improvement.

At one time, rice bran exports used to account for more than half of the total cargo of two million tonnes handled at the old anchorage port but gradually the bran exports dwindled, almost to zero, as there was great demand for bran in the domestic market, especially in the poultry sector.

Currently, some 30,000 tonnes of rice bran is lying in the open for want of storage space and there is considerable damage to the cargo.

There are 21 jetties in the old port, but not one dedicated to the bran export. 'We are facing many problems due to paucity of steel barges for handling the cargo. There is a long wait and we are forced to pay demurrage. Timely allotment of barges is crucial to meeting the export requirements,' said a trader.

During the 2006 calendar, rice bran extract exports were to the extent of 1.89 lakh tonnes, and they are expected to cross two lakh tonnes this year. Some 43,000 tonnes of bran have already been exported to Vietnam during the current year so far, and two more ships are expected at the port shortly to ship 15,000 tonnes of rice bran extractions. The trade has offered to construct a jetty at a cost of Rs 50 lakh exclusively for the export of rice bran.