For exporting Basmati rice, the minimum export price has been raised by the central government. In addition, there is a ban on the export of white rice and a 20 percent rise in the export duty on non-Basmati rice. According to rice exporters, this has led to a decline in exports of non-basmati rice by almost 80%.

The Indian Rice Exporters Federation took the initiative to arrange a discussion meeting with leaders of rice exporting organizations in Kolkata to address this issue. 

Agriculture Minister Shobhan Deb Chatterjee inaugurated the discussion and assured all kinds of cooperation in exporting this fragrant rice abroad.

The Indian Rice Exporters Federation’s National President, Dr. Prem Garg, stated that he had written to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal a few days prior requesting a reduction in the minimum export price of USD 1,200 per tonne for basmati rice. They will be cut to 850, according to the Union Minister.  But it’s not finished yet.  They are consequently having several issues with the export of rice.

 According to Prem Garg, the Indian national economy will be impacted by the decline in exports.

 On this occasion, in attendance were IREF State President Rahul Khaitan, DG Sanjeev Ahuja, State Secretary, Sunil Agarwal, and others.

According to Sunil Aggarwal, farmers are suffering as a result of the increase in the minimum export price of basmati rice, which has the dual effect of reducing sales of grain and, inadvertently, stopping output in rice mills.

 The state’s farmers are also suffering greatly as a result of the decreased paddy prices because non-basmati rice exports are subject to taxes. Our state, the largest producer of paddy, will see the arrival of new crops by the next month, and farmers will suffer greatly as a result of the 20% tax on parboiled rice and the prohibition on white rice.

Priyanka Dutta