New Delhi - The Centre on Thursday banned the export of non-basmati white rice with immediate effect to boost domestic supply and help control inflation.

Non-basmati white rice accounts for nearly 25-30 per cent of total rice exported from the country. The total exports of non-basmati white rice from India was $4.2 million in 2022-23, as against $2.62 million in the preceding year. Major destinations of India's non-basmati white rice exports include Thailand, Italy, Spain, Sri Lanka and the USA.

Volume wise, India exported 6.5 million tonnes of this variety in FY23, compared to 5.3 million tonnes in the previous financial year (a rise of nearly 22 per cent).

The ban comes at a time when rice prices as per an official statement have increased by over 11.5 per cent over a year and three per cent in the past month.

Concerns over rice production in the kharif season due to inadequate rainfall in the major growing states of Bihar (-40 percent cumulative deficit), Jharkhand (-44 per cent deficit), Odisha (-15 per cent deficit) and excess rains in other major states like Punjab (+52 per cent) and Haryana (+65 per cent), have played a part in the Government’s decision.