The Union government has banned export of white rice (non-basmati) with immediate effect as part of its efforts to control rising food grain prices. Though exporters have expressed concern over the ban, the farmers from Andhra Pradesh are unlikely to be impacted much by the Centre’s decision, opine observers.
According to information, rice exports from India touch nearly 18 million tonnes to various countries across the globe. Of this, 7 million tonnes is white rice, 8 million tonnes parboiled rice and 3 million tonnes broken. The rice exports from Andhra Pradesh constitute 10-15% of the total exports from the country, with a 20-30% share in total parboiled rice exports and 1 million tonnes in broken rice, say sources in the government and exporters.
Rice Exporters’ Association of India president B.V. Krishna Rao opines the ban on export of rice may not impact the farmers in A.P. For one, white rice export from Andhra Pradesh is “not happening much. Then there is no ban on export of parboiled rice. “The impact of the ban will not be much on the States where the Minimum Support Price (MSP) announced by the Central government is strictly implemented,” he reasons.
