New Delhi, India – Indian government has given the green light for the export of 75,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to the United Arab Emirates, reports in Indian media said.
The decision comes in the wake of restrictions placed on non-basmati white rice exports on July 20, aimed at bolstering domestic supplies. However, exceptions are being made for authorized exports to foreign nations, particularly to meet their food security demands upon request.
India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has granted approval for this export, with the country’s National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) being the designated entity to oversee the process.
Earlier in August, the Indian government had granted approval for the sale of 1.43 lakh tonnes of non-basmati white rice to countries like Singapore, Mauritius, and Bhutan. Bhutan was set to receive 79,000 tonnes, Mauritius 14,000 tonnes, and Singapore 50,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice, according to DGFT reports.
The global impact of India’s restrictions on rice exports has not gone unnoticed, as a UN agency head recently pointed out that these restrictions have contributed to rising global rice prices and the potential for political unrest in Asia and Africa.
With India historically accounting for nearly 40% of the world’s rice trade, concerns about food security for millions of people in Asia and Africa who rely on this staple crop have been exacerbated by these escalating costs.