India expands Non-Basmati rice exports to five more countries
Published on: December 8, 2023.
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India Lifts Ban on Non-Basmati Rice Export to Several Countries
India has recently allowed the export of non-basmati white rice to various countries including Comoros, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, and Kenya, according to an official notification. This decision comes after the export of non-basmati white rice was temporarily prohibited on July 20 to stabilize domestic prices and ensure food security within the country.
Prior to this, India had already permitted the export of non-basmati white rice to Nepal, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Republic of Guinea, Malaysia, Philippines, Seychelles, UAE, and Singapore. These exports are facilitated through the National Cooperative Exports Limited, as stated in a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade on Thursday evening.
The amendment to the rice export policy highlights that the export of non-basmati white rice will be allowed based on the government’s permission to meet the food security requirements of other countries, upon their respective government’s request. Benin, a West African country, is one of the major importers of non-basmati rice from India. Other countries that import this variety of rice include UAE, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Cote D’Ivoire, Togo, Senegal, Guinea, Vietnam, Djibouti, Madagascar, Cameroon, Somalia, Malaysia, and Liberia.
In order to further regulate the export of rice, India has also implemented additional safeguards by imposing a minimum floor price on basmati rice exports. This measure aims to prevent the export of non-basmati white rice, which had already been prohibited since July. Additionally, the central government has extended the 20 percent export duty on parboiled rice until March 31, 2024. Parboiled rice refers to rice that is partially boiled with husk.
Initially introduced on August 25, 2023, this duty was put in place to ensure sufficient domestic availability and control the price of rice. In September 2022, India had banned the export of broken rice and imposed a 20 percent duty on non-basmati rice exports, with the exception of parboiled rice, due to concerns about low production caused by a decline in the area of paddy cultivation. However, the ban was later lifted in November.
This decision to lift the ban on non-basmati rice exports is expected to enhance trade opportunities for rice exporters in India. It also signifies a positive step towards meeting the demands of international markets while maintaining a balance with domestic needs.
Source: [Devdiscourse](https://www.devdiscourse.com)
