India’s rice production is expected to be higher this year despite heavy rains and flooding in some states, according to the Agricultural Minister.
The country is also considering easing curbs on non-basmati rice exports as inventories in the world’s biggest exporter of the grain surge and farmers are set to harvest a new crop in the coming weeks.
India imposed a series of curbs on overseas shipments of different grades in 2023 to ensure sufficient supplies for the country’s 1.4 billion people and to keep local prices in check. The higher rice output will encourage India to allow exports of non-basmati white rice.
Before the 2023 export restrictions, India accounted for more than 40% of global rice exports. Rice is a staple for over 3 billion people, and nearly 90% of the water-intensive crop is produced in Asia.
