Govt allows non-basmati rice exports to 5 African countries

The government on Thursday allowed the export of essential food items to five African nations overriding an existing ban. The export curbs on food grains such as rice and wheat have affected food availability in strategic partner countries.

- Dhirendra Kumar

The government allowed export of 240,000 tonnes of non-basmati rice to Comoros, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya and Egypt through the National Cooperatives Exports Limited (NCEL), a notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said.

According to the order, Comoros is to get 20,000 tonnes of non-basmati rice, Madagascar 50,000 tonnes, Equatorial Guinea 10,000 tonnes, Kenya 100,000 tonnes and Egypt 60,000 tonnes.