Lok Sabha Question No. 563 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: Export of Basmati Rice
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 563 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 th  FEBRUARY, 2017

## EXPORT OF BASMATI RICE

## 563.   SHRI SATAV RAJEEV :

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the total  quantum and value of basmati rice exported from the country to various countries including Iran during the last three years, country-wise;
- (b) whether Iran has banned import of Indian basmati rice for the past four months and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  send  a  delegation  to  Iran  to  protect  its  big basmati rice market and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the other steps taken by the Government to boost the exports of basmati rice from the country particularly to Iran?

## ANSWER

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## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) Details  of  quantum  and  value  of  basmati  rice  exported  from  the  country  to  various countries, including Iran, during the last three years (top 10 countries), are as under:

Quantity in lakh MT; Value in US$ Million

|                | 2013-14   | 2013-14   | 2014-15   | 2014-15   | 2015-16   | 2015-16   |
|----------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Country Name   | Quantity  | Value     | Quantity  | Value     | Quantity  | Value     |
| Saudi Arabia   | 8.26      | 1108.90   | 9.67      | 1188.23   | 9.49      | 842.22    |
| Iran           | 14.40     | 1834.55   | 9.36      | 1108.50   | 6.95      | 571.19    |
| UAE            | 1.48      | 196.51    | 2.79      | 314.76    | 6.12      | 475.18    |
| Iraq           | 2.20      | 271.14    | 2.35      | 259.13    | 4.18      | 340.97    |
| Kuwait         | 1.76      | 247.95    | 1.66      | 250.53    | 1.81      | 211.68    |
| U K            | 1.19      | 130.73    | 1.36      | 147.63    | 1.88      | 143.14    |
| U S A          | 1.03      | 143.86    | 0.89      | 132.30    | 1.21      | 131.55    |
| Yemen Republic | 1.47      | 183.94    | 1.74      | 196.15    | 1.42      | 110.49    |
| Oman           | 0.43      | 58.63     | 0.56      | 68.83     | 1.05      | 92.84     |
| Canada         | 0.29      | 37.97     | 0.26      | 37.51     | 0.36      | 38.49     |
| Total          | 37.54     | 4864.91   | 37.02     | 4518.26   | 40.45     | 3477.39   |

Source: DGCI&S

- (b)      In order to protect its domestic paddy growers, Iran has been imposing temporary ban (usually from end July to early January of next year) on import of rice. The ban was imposed w.e.f. 21 st July 2016. However, the ban is not India-specific.
- (c) A 20-member trade delegation, led by the Chairman, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), visited Iran from January 28-30, 2017.    Meetings  were  held  with  the  Departments  of  Government  of  Iran  and importers' association.  A sales promotion event was organized on January 29, 2017, which was attended by about 250 participants, including media, Government officials and importers.
- (d) APEDA directly, and through  All  India  Rice  Exporters  Association,  participates  in trade fairs in Iran to promote export of Basmati rice along with other agro products. APEDA, under its plan scheme, also provides assistance to exporters for building up image of their brands through advertisement in print and electronic media.

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