Global rice prices fell yesterday after India, the world’s No.1 exporter of the grain, gave the go-ahead for exports to resume, boosting global supply and helping poor Asian and African buyers secure more affordable supplies, exporters said.
India on Saturday allowed exports of non-basmati white rice. That came a day after New Delhi cut export duty on parboiled rice to 10 per cent, buoyed by a new crop in the offing and higher inventories in state warehouses.
“Suppliers from Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan are responding to India’s move by lowering their export prices,” said Himanshu Agarwal, executive director at Satyam Balajee, a leading rice exporter.
Global rice prices soared to their highest level in over 15 years following India’s decision last year to ban the export of white rice and impose a 20pc duty on parboiled rice exports.
Last year’s export curbs imposed by India allowed competing suppliers like Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, and Myanmar to increase their market share and command higher prices in the global market.
Yesterday, India’s 5pc broken parboiled variety was quoted at $500-$510 per metric tonne, down from the last week’s $530-$536. Indian 5pc broken white rice was offered around $490. Exporters in Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand and Myanmar also lowered prices by at least $10 per tonne yesterday, dealers said.
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