Kenya Exempted from India’s Rice Import Ban, Latest News Update
Published on: December 8, 2023.
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India has finally lifted its ban on the export of rice to Kenya and four other African countries, providing much-needed relief to the region. The ban was first implemented in May 2022, with India imposing sanctions on the export of non-basmati rice and imposing a 20% export duty on basmati rice.
While the ban primarily applied to non-government exports, India did allow for conditional export of rice through government-to-government deals, albeit in limited quantities. However, with the recent decision to lift the ban, Kenya will now receive the lion’s share of a total of 100,000 metric tonnes of rice, while Egypt, Madagascar, and Comoros will also benefit from the lifted restrictions.
India’s National Cooperative Exports Limited granted permission for the lifted ban on December 7, 2023, shortly after the same body lifted sanctions on six other non-African countries. The reason behind India’s decision was to assist Kenya and the other countries in dealing with food security challenges they were facing.
The lifting of this ban comes at a critical time, as Kenya has been grappling with high rice prices since India initially cut its rice imports by 250,000 metric tonnes. India has been the primary supplier of rice to Kenya, but with the ban in place, the country had to turn to Pakistan and neighboring Tanzania for alternative sources of rice.
India’s justification for the ban was to prevent the illegal packaging of white rice as basmati rice, a practice that some unscrupulous traders were engaging in to circumvent the restrictions. With the ban lifted, it is hoped that such practices will be curbed and regulation will be strengthened.
Rice imports are crucial for Kenya, as it ranks as the 12th most imported food item in the country. Therefore, the lifting of the ban not only addresses the immediate concerns of high rice prices but also bolsters Kenya’s food security and helps meet the demands of its population.
Overall, India’s decision to lift the ban on rice exports is a positive development for Kenya and the other African countries involved. It will help stabilize rice prices, ensure a steady supply of the product, and contribute to enhanced food security in the region.
Source: [Kenyans](https://www.kenyans.co.ke)
