India sets $1,200 floor price for basmati rice after curbing export of non-basmati

India has imposed a $1,200 per ton minimum export price (MEP) on basmati rice shipments, the government said on Sunday, as the world’s biggest exporter tries to calm local prices ahead of key state elections.

The south Asian country in July banned exports of non-basmati white rice and on Friday imposed 20 percent duty on the exports of parboiled rice.

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But after the ban, some traders were classifying non-basmati white rice as basmati to overcome the export restriction, the
government said in a statement.

The MEP would help authorities ensure that non-basmati rice is not exported as basmati rice, they said.

India and Pakistan exclusively grow premium, aromatic basmati rice. India ships out around 4 million metric tons of basmati rice to countries such as Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Read more: India halts largest rice export category, triggering global food inflation fears