Thursday, June 05, 2025 | 03:04 PM ISTहिंदी में पढें
Business Standard
Notification Icon
userprofile IconSearch

Rice export ban won't lower inflation or meaningfully improve food security

The last time India blocked grain exports, in 2007 and 2008, the decision precipitated a years-long food-security crisis

Photo: Bloomberg
premium

(Photo: Bloomberg)

Mihir Sharma | Bloomberg
A few months ago, when India restricted wheat exports following a heatwave, rumbles ran through the world’s food markets. Still, while India is a giant consumer of wheat, it’s not as big an exporter. The real fear was that New Delhi might cut off rice shipments as well: India is the world’s largest exporter by far.
 
Fortunately, rice prices in India hit a five-year low around then, depressed by ample global supply and a weak rupee. Things are very different today. First, Indian rice crops have been struck by a mystery “stunting” disease caused by a virus first observed in