Many countries raised questions regarding the ban on the export of rice from India.

India is a country that exports rice on a large scale. Many countries including Canada and America had raised questions regarding the decision to curb exports. India has said to the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the ban on the export of rice should not be considered as a ban. It's just a regulation. This was an important step to ensure the food security of India's 1.4 billion people. India on July 20 banned exports of non-Basmati white rice amid the Ukraine-Russia crisis, in a move to boost domestic supplies and control retail prices. Many countries including Canada and America had raised questions on this decision of India.


The Indian government took the decision keeping food security in mind


During the World Trade Organization committee meeting held in Geneva, India said that this decision has been taken keeping food security in mind. India has said that keeping in view the global circumstances, no advance information was given to WTO regarding this decision to ban the majors from manipulating the market conditions. There was a possibility that if the information related to this was given earlier, then big suppliers could have manipulated it by storing it. These measures are temporary and are regularly reviewed based on domestic demand and supply conditions. 


Also read: Stir in America Due to Ban on Export of Non-Basmati Rice by the Central Government


India's approval for exports to needy countries


It has also been said from the Indian side that despite the ban, India has already permitted exports to needy countries. Non-Basmati rice has been exported through NCEL to Bhutan (79,000 tonnes), UAE (75,000 tonnes), Mauritius (14,000 tonnes) and Singapore (50,000 tonnes).


These countries raised questions regarding the ban on rice export by India


For your information, let us tell you that India is the largest rice exporter in the world with more than 40 percent of global exports. Brazil, the European Union, New Zealand, Switzerland, Thailand, Britain, America, Canada, Japan, and Australia had raised many questions regarding the decision to ban India's exports. It was said on behalf of these countries that this has an impact on countries that are heavily dependent on imports of agricultural commodities.