New Delhi - The ban on exports of non-basmati white rice may not last long as the concerns about the standing crop has eased, according to major exporters.

Anil Kumar Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director of KRBL, one of the major rice exporters, on Tuesday said: “Monsoon rains have been adequate so far and kharif paddy sowing has surpassed last year’s level and the government might lift the white rice exports ban soon.”

He noted that global agencies such as International Monetary Fund and Food and Agriculture Organisation have urged India to lift restriction in white rice export as it has pushed global rice prices sharply.

After the procurement of paddy commences, the Government would realistically assess the supply situation by December and consider lifting the ban on white rice shipment,” V Krishna Rao, President, Rice Exporters Association, a body of non-basmati exporters, said. He said that because of the rice exports ban, India’s competitors such as Vietnam and Thailand have hiked their grain prices.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in its July 2023 crop outlook, stated “India remains the lowest priced Asian exporter and expected to again be the largest exporter, shipping a record 23 MT in 2023-24.”