NEW DELHI, April 23 Reuters India39;s agricultural food exports in the 202324 financial year fell slightly short of the previous year, hitting about 50 billion as efforts to diversify shipments to the United States, Europe and other markets helped to offset curbs on rice, wheat and sugar exports.

The export curbs were imposed by the world39;s secondlargest producer of wheat, rice and sugar last year to rein in rising domestic prices.

The curbs have hit food exports by between 5 billion and 6 billion, said commerce ministry official Rajesh Agrawal, adding that overall agriculture exports could be about 50 billion for the year to March 31. That compares with a total of about 53 billion the previous year.

The government aims to reduce dependence on a few items … and promote a wide range of farm products, such as oilseeds, fruit, vegetables and processed foods, he said.

India39;s merchandise exports fell for the first time in 202324 since 202021, hit by geopolitical tensions and export curbs.

Exports have also been dented by a slowdown in global demand, the ongoing RussiaUkraine war and the Red Sea shipping crisis brought on by conflict in the Middle East, Agrawal said.

Exports of basmati rice had reached 5.2 billion by the end of February, up 22 year on year, helped by an increase in global prices, he said. Official numbers for the full 12month period are expected to be announced in the next few days.

To boost exports, the government has identified 20 agricultural…