April 19, 2025 | 00:55 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Tuesday- 10:05, 01/08/2023

India basmati rice exporters get requests for early shipments

(VAN) Indian rice exporters have been receiving requests from buyers to advance shipments of basmati rice after New Delhi banned exports of non-basmati white rice to dampen local prices, industry officials told Reuters.

The world's biggest exporter of rice surprised buyers earlier this month by imposing a ban on exports of non-basmati white rice after retail rice prices climbed 3% in a month after late but heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage to crops.

"Buyers are requesting early shipments because they fear that the government might put restrictions on exports of basmati rice as well," said Atul Garg, managing director at GRM Overseas (GRMO.NS), a leading exporter of basmati rice.

Buyers usually sign long-term contracts with the assurance of dispatching a certain quantity every month. However, some of the buyers are now requesting to ship in August what was supposed to be shipped in September and October, he said.

India exported around 4.5 million metric tons of basmati rice in 2022/23, with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and the United States among the top buyers.

Non-basmati white rice, which India has banned for export, is mainly purchased by Senegal, Benin, Togo, Bangladesh, and Cote d'Ivoire.

India never banned exports of basmati rice in the past but did impose export taxes in 2008.

"We are assuring buyers that there is no possibility of a ban on basmati rice exports but some buyers are afraid due to the government's recent decisions," said another exporter based in New-Delhi.

India banned wheat exports in a surprise move in 2022 and later imposed restrictions on exports of sugar and rice.

Basmati rice is mainly produced in northern states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh, which were flooded earlier this year because of extremely heavy rainfall.

But basmati rice growing areas have increased in 2023 and production is likely to be higher than last year, said Vijay Setia, an exporter.

"Many farmers in Uttar Pradesh are shifting to basmati rice from non-basmati because of higher prices," Setia said.

HD

(Reuters)

California agriculture reels from Trump's new tariff policy

California agriculture reels from Trump's new tariff policy

(VAN) California's $59 billion agriculture industry faces serious disruption as the U.S. clashes with China - one of the state's major export markets.

Two years since the start of the conflict, Sudan is facing a severe food security catastrophe

Two years since the start of the conflict, Sudan is facing a severe food security catastrophe

(VAN) Five things you should know about Sudan's food security crisis.

U.S. spacecraft brings Vietnamese lotus seeds into space

U.S. spacecraft brings Vietnamese lotus seeds into space

(VAN) 169 lotus seeds selected by the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences were carried into space by Vietnamese-American astronaut Amanda Nguyen.

China put steep tariffs on U.S. exports. Farmers are worried

China put steep tariffs on U.S. exports. Farmers are worried

(VAN) Tariffs are making life more expensive for John Pihl. He's been farming in Northern Illinois for more than 50 years.

New US tariffs spark alarm among EU and US farming groups

New US tariffs spark alarm among EU and US farming groups

(VAN) European and American farmer organisations are concerned about the import tariffs that the United States introduced on 9 April for products from the European Union. This makes them 20% more expensive.

Strong poultry markets with geopolitical risks

Strong poultry markets with geopolitical risks

(VAN) Global poultry trade is expected to remain strong amid relatively tight global protein supply and growing consumption, RaboResearch concludes in its latest animal protein report.

Big, biodiverse and beautiful: can Romania’s centuries-old giant haystacks survive modern farming?

Big, biodiverse and beautiful: can Romania’s centuries-old giant haystacks survive modern farming?

(VAN) Traditional methods benefit hundreds of species but as new agricultural techniques take over, the distinctive haystacks mark a vanishing way of life.

Read more