Get basmati MEP removed, Haryana Rice Exporters’ Association urges Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar

Karnal, August 27

The Haryana Rice Exporters’ Association (HREA) has requested Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to take up with the Union Commerce Ministry and Industry their demand for the removal or reduction in the minimum export price (MEP) of basmati rice to $700 per metric tonne (MT).

Sushil Jain, president of the HREA, said, “A significant fall of nearly 25 per cent to 30 per cent in the paddy prices has been seen due to which both industry and farmers are facing huge losses. New paddy basmati 1509 has started arriving in grain markets and is being sold at a price of Rs 2,200 per quintal to Rs 2,600 per quintal, while its price was Rs 3,200 to Rs 3,800 per quintal.”He added that the MEP was too high, particularly when compared to Pakistan’s $700 per tonne