India Allows Export of 200,000 Tonnes of Non-Basmati White Rice to Malaysia
India has decided to permit the export of 200,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to Malaysia. This decision was announced in an official notification dated August 20, coinciding with the visit of Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, to New Delhi.
In July 2023, India had banned the export of rice to control inflation and ensure food security. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) stated that the exports to Malaysia will be managed through National Cooperative Exports Limited.
In October 2023, India also allowed the export of 170,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to Malaysia. Previously, India had permitted rice exports to countries like Nepal, Cameroon, UAE, and Kenya, among others, but in varying quantities and under specific conditions.
The export policy for non-basmati white rice was changed from ‘free’ to ‘prohibited,’ but exceptions are made based on government permissions to meet the food security needs of other countries. Additionally, India imposed a minimum floor price on basmati rice exports to prevent the export of non-basmati white rice.
Benin is one of the major importers of non-basmati rice from India, along with other countries like UAE, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Malaysia.
Doubts Revealed
Non-Basmati White Rice -: Non-Basmati white rice is a type of rice that is different from Basmati rice. It is commonly used in everyday meals in India and other countries.
Tonnes -: Tonnes are a unit of weight. One tonne is equal to 1,000 kilograms. So, 200,000 tonnes is a very large amount of rice.
Inflation -: Inflation means that the prices of things go up. When inflation happens, people have to pay more money to buy the same things.
Food Security -: Food security means making sure that everyone has enough food to eat. The government wants to make sure there is enough rice for people in India.
National Cooperative Exports Limited -: National Cooperative Exports Limited is a company that helps sell products from India to other countries. They will manage the rice export to Malaysia.
Prohibited -: Prohibited means not allowed. The government changed the rule so that exporting rice is not allowed unless they give special permission.