``Exports are likely to continue provided the production is good,'' he told a press conference here.

Indian wheat prices were ruling well above current global prices despite the record foodgrain production estimates for 1998-99 crop year. Moreover, the prices were also over the minimum statutory prices (MSP) of Rs 550 a quintal fixed by the government, he said.

Foodgrain production was set to cross 203 million tonnes with current output being 202.5 million tonnes, which was higher than the production recorded during the same period a year ago, he said.

To a question, Sompal said the government was hopeful of meeting the foodgrain production target of 234 million tonnes by the end of the Ninth Plan.

He said wheat production during the current fiscal was estimated to be 7.7 per cent higher at 71.01 million tonnes asagainst 65.9 million tonnes last fiscal.

Sompal said rice production during 1998-99 was estimated to be 2.96 per cent higher at 84.74 million tonnes as against 82.30 million tonnes recorded in the previous fiscal.

Referring to onion production, the minister said there would not be any shortage of onion during this year as total onion production was likely to cross 4.8 million tonnes which would be a record.

Last year, onion production was 3.6 million tonnes which resulted in scarcity of the commodity and unprecedented price rise, he added.

Sompal said initial estimates indicated that oilseeds production would be 25.68 million tonnes in 1998-99 as against 22.02 million tonnes the previous year.

There was a bumper potato production in 1998-99 which was estimated to be 23.3 million tonnes against the previous year production of 17.65 million tonnes, Sompal said. (PTI)