Rice Export: Government lifts export duty on non-Basmati rice, reduces duty on boiled rice to 10 per cent

New Delhi| The government has exempted non-Basmati white rice from export duty, while the duty on boiled rice has been reduced to 10 percent. This reduction in duty has been done within a fortnight of the government removing the minimum export price on Basmati rice. The Revenue Department under the Finance Ministry said it has also reduced export duty on husked rice (brown rice) and husked rice (paddy or raw) to 10 per cent.

Export duties on these rice varieties, as well as non-Basmati white rice, were so far 20 per cent. These fee changes will take effect Sept. 27, 2024, the notification said. Earlier this month, the government had abolished the minimum export price of Basmati rice to boost exports and increase farmers’ income.

The government on Saturday lifted a complete ban on foreign export of non-Basmati white rice. However, a minimum export price (MEP) of $490 per tone has been introduced for exports. Exports of non-Basmati white rice have been banned since 20 July 2023 to boost domestic supply.

“The export policy for non-Basmati white rice (semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether polished or not) has been revised from restricted to free, subject to an MEP of USD 490 per tone with immediate effect and until further orders”, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification.