The threat to India's rice production comes at a time when countries are grappling with soaring food costs and rampant inflation
India, the world's biggest rice exporter, has ample stocks of rice and there is no plan to restrict exports, the top official at the food ministry said on Monday
Rice has come into focus recently on worries that India may restrict exports of the crop next, after similar moves in wheat and sugar
India has stockpiled more than enough rice and prices have been under control
India banned wheat exports on May 14, just days after New Delhi forecast record shipments of 10 million tonnes this year
India exported rice to over 150 countries in 2021-22, of which 76 countries were sent non-basmati rice worth more than $1 million in 2021-22
India's 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $367 to $370 per tonne, down from last week's $371 to $378, edging lower on a depreciation in the rupee amid steady demand from key buyers
India's 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $367 to $370 per tonne, down from last week's $371 to $378, edging lower on a depreciation in the rupee amid steady demand from key buyers
Country posted 20% in exports of agricultural and allied products, while exports of plantation crops rose 19% to $1.2 billion and those of marine products were up 35% to $6.18 billion
The country's basmati rice exports in 2021 fell 20% from a year ago to 4 million tonnes, the lowest since 2017, according to government data
This is because the European Union (EU), from where the allegation came, accounts for very little of the country's rice export
The government on Wednesday clarified that India does not export genetically modified (GM) rice
With the new seed varieties, developed by the state-run Indian Agricultural Research Institute, farmers only need to irrigate the field once to moisten the soil before sowing the rice.
Top exporter India's 5% broken parboiled variety quotes fell to $354 to $358 per tonne from last week's $361 to $366 a tonne.
The world's biggest rice exporter is heading for record shipments this year that will help to keep rising food prices in check, according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization.
This compares to Rs 11,543 crore in the same period last fiscal
India mainly exports non-basmati rice to Bangladesh, Nepal, Benin and Senegal, and basmati rice to Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq
The purchases underscore tightening supplies in Asia, which could lift rice prices in 2021 and even force traditional buyers of rice from Thailand and Vietnam to switch to India
The purchases underscore tightening supplies in Asia
India deferred the requirement to July 1, 2021