The country has exported rice worth Rs 23,161.56 crore, in the first six months of the current financial year, as per information provided by Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The country exported 16.41 lakh tonnes (LT) of basmati rice in the April-September period of the current financial year, valued at Rs 13,846.95 crore while on the other hand, 36.56 LT of non-basmati rice was exported in the same period, valued at Rs 9,314.61 crore.
Meanwhile, Iran, one of the largest importers of rice from India, has imposed a temporary restriction on import of rice with effect from October 19, 2014. The government engages with its trade partners in an institutional basis and takes up all trade related issues from time to time.
Further, in view of the domestic crop season, which will continue till January 21, Iran has increased customs duty on import of rice from 22 percent to 40 percent.