Indian exporters warmly welcomed the move to make prior APEDA registration for non-basmati rice. Exporters, along with the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF), welcomed the decision of the government and said that the mandatory registration will ensure the greater control of the government over shipments. However, they ruled out any immediate impact on trade apart from adding a minimal cost.
Notably, APEDA promotes exports of agri-products such as rice, fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy, and develops markets and infrastructure. In this context, the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) welcomed the move of making it mandatory to register contracts for shipments of non-basmati rice with APEDA, adding that it will bring transparency and uniformity in the export policy.
Prem Garg, National President of IREF Hailed the Move as a “Landmark Decision”
Dr. Prem Garg, the National President of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) hailed the move as a “landmark decision” stating that the decision will bring non-Basmati rice under the same framework as Basmati rice, which for years has required registration of export contracts.
By introducing mandatory registration of contracts with APEDA, Dr. Garg said the government will now have better visibility into export commitments, enabling more transparent monitoring. The IREF President further added that the move will not have any immediate impact on trade apart from adding a minimal cost ₹8 per tonne.
The country’s rice exports rose 6.4 per cent to USD 4.7 billion during the April-August period of this fiscal year. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) also notified about the same amendment by stating that, “Export policy of non-Basmati Rice has been amended by incorporating an additional policy condition to the extent that export of non-Basmati Rice shall be permitted only upon registration of contracts with the APEDA.”