India’s decision to ban export of non-basmati white rice has reportedly come under attack from a group of countries, including the US, the EU and Canada, which termed it as an unnecessary trade barrier that hinders the flow of food to areas where it is most needed.
At a Committee on Agriculture meeting at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Wednesday, Japan, Australia, Brazil, the EU, the UK and the US, among others, also raised concerns over the impact of the ban on the global food market, the Economic Times (ET) reported.
India is the world’s largest exporter, accounting for over 40 per cent of global exports of the grain.
India rice export curbs
The South Asian country has prohibited non-basmati white rice exports in July.
At the WTO meeting, these countries argued that such measures have a detrimental impact on countries heavily reliant on imports, particularly during times of crisis, the ET report said, citing an unnamed Geneva-based official.
Washington claimed, based on information from the US Department of Agriculture, that India is poised for a record-breaking harvest, with an estimated rice production of 134 million tonnes and stocks of 36 million tonnes for 2023-24.
“It believes that under such conditions, the new measure creates unnecessary trade barriers and hinder the flow of food to areas where it is most needed,” the official said.
According to the Geneva-based official, the US has asked India to lift this export ban with immediate effect.
India, however, argued that the new ban on rice is a regulation rather than a restriction, which is crucial for securing the food security of 1.4 billion people.
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