Indian Rice Exporters Federation
says Lifting of Curbs by Major Global Rice Importer to Boost Indian Shipments
India's Rice
Export Boost After Key Importer Lifts Ban
There was no ban. They had
purchased in excess and now the excess has been consumed after pause on imports.
Export to or transit via Iran
is troublesome. Banks, afraid of us sanctions, which anyway exempt food, refuse
to handle documents. India has established exporters to Iran, having generations
of relationship. They take risk on payment and insurance ( as
insurance companies are also reluctant).
Not as earth-shaking news as
is made out.
-Our Commodity Editor-
Key
Highlights:
·
Iran has lifted its four-month ban
on rice imports, aiming to ease domestic prices.
·
The Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF)
confirmed that this move will boost Indian rice exports and reduce
the impact of fresh U.S. tariffs.
Impact on
Trade:
·
Iran is a major buyer,
importing over 1 million metric tonnes of Indian rice annually.
·
This decision is expected to significantly
expand India's rice trade, enabling market diversification.
IREF Statement
(Prem Garg, Chairman):
·
India currently holds 45% of the global rice
trade.
·
With strategic support, this could rise to 55%,
turning recent challenges (like U.S. tariffs) into growth opportunities.
On U.S.
Tariffs:
·
U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods,
including rice.
·
IREF views this as a temporary hurdle, not a
long-term disruption.
·
Indian rice exports to the U.S. in 2023–24 were 234,000
tonnes.
About
IREF:
·
Represents 7,500+ stakeholders in the rice
sector (exporters & millers).
Removal
of import restrictions by a major Indian rice importer will help boost the grain's
exports and reduce the impact of fresh US tariffs, Indian Rice Exporters Federation said
on Monday (04.08.2025).
Indian
Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) Chairman Prem Garg said that a key international
market has decided to remove its four-month ban on rice imports.
"This
development is significant
as this market is a major importer of Indian rice, with annual imports standing
at over 1,000,000 MT, and the removal of restrictions will boost our exports significantly," Garg said.
"This
will expand India's trade options and allow us to diversify into new markets in
exciting new ways," he said.
According
to media reports, Iran has decided to lift its four-month ban on rice imports to
ease domestic prices.
"India
currently supplies over 45 per cent of the global rice trade, and with the right
support and vision, we can raise our global share to 55 per cent, turning this challenge
into a growth opportunity," Garg said.
The
association recently stated that the 25 per cent tariff imposed by the US on Indian goods, including
rice, will be a "temporary hurdle" and not a major disruption for the
sector. Indian rice exports
to the US stood around 2.34 lakh tonnes in 2023-24.
IREF
represents more than 7,500 rice industry stakeholders comprising exporters and millers.