Iran lifts ban on basmati import

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, November 28

Iran’s decision to lift ban on import of Indian basmati has brought cheer to rice exporters and farmers. The All India Rice Exporters’ Association (AIREA) has also welcomed the step and said it would boost the rice industry.

The impact of this move is visible in the grain market as the price of PUSA-1121 and other basmati varieties has increased in just 3-4 days.

Vijay Setia, president of the AIREA, said Iran had imposed a ban on import of basmati in July this year to protect their own paddy farmers.

“We can now export our basmati to Iran till July 22, 2018. We expect that around 7 lakh tonnes of basmati could be exported. It would be a big relief for the industry as well as farmers’ economy,” he added.

India exports almost 40 lakh tonnes of basmati across the world and Iran is a major buyer. “We have started the process for new sale contracts in Iran,” Setia said.

Last year, the exporters realised around $780 per tonne and this year they are expecting over $1,000 per tonne, he added.

“Basmati prices have started increasing as Iran has allowed imports from India. In Karnal grain market, the price has risen by Rs 200-300. The PUSA-1121 variety, which was being sold at Rs 3,100 earlier this week, is now being sold at Rs 3,380,” said Sumit Choudhary, a commission agent at the grain market.

Similarly, PUSA-1509 variety was being procured between Rs 2,500 and Rs 2,700 some days ago, but now it is being procured at Rs 2,950. Basmati-C30 was earlier sold at Rs 3,850 and now it is fetching Rs 4,000, he said.