India Greenlights Export of 200,000 Tonnes of Non-Basmati White Rice to Malaysia

India has permitted the export of 200,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to Malaysia, as per an official notification. Initially banned in July 2023, these exports are managed through National Cooperative Exports Limited and were announced during a state visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim.

India has authorized the export of 200,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to Malaysia, according to an official notification. The move follows a ban imposed in July 2023 aimed at controlling inflation and ensuring food security within the country.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced that the rice exports to Malaysia will be managed through National Cooperative Exports Limited. The notification was released on August 20, coinciding with the state visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim to New Delhi. Previously, in October 2023, India had allowed the export of 170,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to Malaysia.

India has also allowed exports of this variety of rice to several other countries, including Nepal, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Republic of Guinea, Philippines, Seychelles, UAE, Singapore, Comoros, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, Kenya, and Tanzania. The export policy for non-basmati white rice was revised from 'free' to 'prohibited,' with certain exports permitted under strict conditions.

The DGFT stated that exports would be allowed based on government permissions to address food security needs in other countries. Additionally, in late August of last year, India introduced a minimum floor price on basmati rice exports to prevent the unauthorized export of non-basmati white rice.

Notably, the export ban created significant challenges for major non-basmati rice importers like Benin. Other countries affected by the policy include the UAE, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Senegal, Guinea, Vietnam, Djibouti, Madagascar, Cameroon, Somalia, Malaysia, and Liberia.

(With inputs from agencies.)