3.28 % decline in export of Basmati rice : Minister

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : India is the largest exporter of Basmati rice, which is one of the major varieties of aromatic or scented rice. From April to October 2018, the country exported 2294787 MT of Basmati rice worth Rs 16,993 crore. From April to October 2017, the country had exported 2371108 MT of Basmati rice worth Rs 15,208 crore.

While there is a marginal decline of 3.28% in quantity terms, in value terms the exports have grown by 11.54%. As such, there is no question of any major hardship due to non-export of Basmati rice. The major export destination for basmati Rice are Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Yemen Republic, USA, and UK.

The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), an autonomous organisation under the administrative control of Department of Commerce, has been mandated with the export promotion of Basmati rice. APEDA has been able to register Basmati rice as a Geographical Indication (GI) in February 2016.

APEDA, in collaboration with the trade, has also established Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF), which undertakes various activities for development and export promotion of Basmati rice. Moreover, APEDA has also been providing assistance to the Basmati rice exporters under various components of its export promotion scheme.

This information was given by the Minister of State of Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on December 31, 2018, according to a PIB release.