India Lifts Export Ban on Broken Rice

The Indian government has announced the removal of the export ban on broken rice, a move aimed at promoting its shipments abroad. This decision comes after the ban was initially imposed in September 2022, in response to global foodgrain supply chain disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.

According to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, the export policy of broken rice has been amended from 'prohibited' to 'free' with immediate effect. This change is expected to benefit exporters who have been urging the government to permit shipments due to rising inventories.

Last year, the government also removed the minimum export price (MEP) of USD 490 per tonne on overseas shipments of non-basmati white rice and withdrew a blanket ban on the shipments of this variety. These measures were taken when the country had ample rice stock at government godowns and retail prices were under control.

Despite the export ban, the government allowed shipments to friendly and needy countries on a request basis. In 2023-24, India exported broken rice worth $194.58 million to countries like Gambia, Benin, Senegal, and Indonesia, a significant decrease from $983.46 million in 2022-23 and $1.13 billion in 2021-22.