The Indian rice industry is calling on the government to lift the ban on broken rice exports as stocks continue to accumulate. The All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) argues that allowing exports would help reduce domestic surpluses and benefit farmers. India, the world's largest rice exporter, imposed the ban in 2022 to ensure domestic food security. However, with an estimated 3-4 million tonnes of broken rice in stock, the industry sees an opportunity to tap into global demand, particularly from China for animal feed and African countries for human consumption. Lifting the ban could also help stabilize domestic prices and support the ethanol blending program.
Sources: Reuters, The Economic Times, MarketScreener