Indian Government Prohibits Non-Basmati White Rice Export

The Indian government has taken the decision to prohibit the export of non-basmati white rice, ANI Reported.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced that the export policy for non-basmati white rice (wholly or partially milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed: Other) has changed from "free" to "prohibited" and that it is now in effect.

Exports of this type of rice will, however, only be allowed under specific circumstances, according to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, where loading has begun prior to the issue of notification and where the shipping bill is filed and vessels have already berthed or arrived and anchored in Indian ports and their rotation number has been assigned prior to this notification.

Only after receiving confirmation from the responsible port authorities on the ship's anchoring or berthing for the purpose of loading non-basmati rice prior to the Notification will the approval of loading in such vessels be granted.

In addition, exports will be permitted based on the government's approval of requests from other nations seeking to meet their needs for food security.

One of the main purchasers of Indian non-basmati rice is the West African nation of Benin. Other countries with destination airports include Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Cote D'Ivoire, Togo, Senegal, Guinea, Vietnam, Djibouti, Madagascar, Cameroon, Somalia, Malaysia, Liberia, and the United Arab Emirates.

As a result of concerns over an exaggerated low output caused by a decline in the area beneath the paddy crop, India banned the export of broken rice in September 2022 and imposed a 20% levy on exports of all other types of rice, with the exception of parboiled rice. Later, in November, the prohibition was lifted.