China begins import of Indian rice; orders 5,000 tonnes after a gap of many years

Amid border tensions, China has started importing Indian rice after a gap of two years and placed orders for shipment of about 5,000 tonnes of n-basmati rice due to competitive prices offered by India compared to or nations. India is world's biggest exporter of rice, while China is biggest importer. In 2006, China was given market access for Indian rice but shipments took place only during 2017-18 fiscal.

"Although market access was given in 2006, China imported about 974 tonnes of n-basmati rice in 2017-18 fiscal. w after a gap of two years, we have started receiving enquiries...," All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) Executive Director Vid Kaul told news ncy PTI.

'China has started showing interest'

Less than 150 tonnes of basmati rice has been exported till October of 2020-21 fiscal. In last two months, China has placed orders for shipment of about 5,000 tonnes of n-basmati rice called broken rice from south India, he said. Broken rice is used for making odles as well as in wine industry. 

"China has started showing interest in buying rice from India," Kaul said it is because neighbouring nation is "facing tight supply situation amid likely fall in output and tre curbs in wake of COVID-19 from its or importing destinations like Thailand and Vietnam." "That apart, India is offering competitive prices when compared to or nations in world at present," he ded.

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Countries supplying rice to China like Pakistan, Myanmar have limited surplus supplies for export and were quoting at least $30 per tonne more compared with Indian prices, or media reports stated quoting rice tre officials.

As per AIREA, India has exported 2.8 million tonnes of basmati rice and 6.1 million tonnes of n-basmati rice during April-October period of current fiscal. In 2019-20 fiscal, total basmati rice exports were at a record 4 million tonnes and n-basmati rice at 5 million tonnes. 

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