The government has permitted exports of 14,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to Mauritius. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a notification said that the export is permitted through National Cooperative Exports (NCEL). Though exports of non-basmati white rice have been banned since July 20, 2023 to boost domestic supply, exports are allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to certain countries to meet their food security needs on request.
Earlier, India has allowed exports of the commodity to African nations including Tanzania, Djibouti and Guinea-Bissau. Besides, export of non-basmati white rice was permitted to countries like Nepal, Cameroon, Cote D' Ivore, Guinea, Malaysia, Philippines, and Seychelles.
NCEL is a multi-state cooperative society. It is jointly promoted by some of the leading cooperative societies in the country, namely, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) popularly known as AMUL, Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative (KRIBHCO) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).