NEW DELHI: The Government on Saturday lifted the ban on international exports of non-basmati white rice and set a minimum export price (MEP) of $490 per tonne. The ban, which had been in place since July 20, 2023, was originally imposed to increase domestic rice availability.
“The export policy for non-basmati white rice (semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or gazed) …is amended from prohibited to free, subject to MEP of $ 490 per tonne with immediate effect and until further orders,” the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said, news agency PTI reported.
Non-basmati white rice is a popular variety of rice that is widely consumed in India. It has been exempted from export duty, while the levy on parboiled rice has been lowered to 10 per cent. This decision follows the government’s recent move to eliminate the minimum export price on basmati rice.
According to a notification released by the revenue department under the finance ministry on Friday, the export duty on husked (brown rice) and rice in the form of husk (paddy or rough) has also been reduced to 10 percent.
The new rates will come into force starting from September 27, 2024 the official announcement added.