Basmati rice exports to Iran rise twofold

Kolkatta : India’s agriculture and processed food exports to Iran have more than doubled in quantum and value terms in the last one year, mainly on account of an exceptional surge in Basmati rice exports. If the trend continues, this year’s export of Basmati to Iran could be the highest.

In value terms, Basmati rice exports to Iran increased by 137 per cent (nearly threefold rise), while in terms of quantity it increased by 77 per cent, between April and September 2013 and 2014, data from Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) show.

Between April and September 2013, total food exports to Iran was valued at Rs 7,104 crore, against Rs 3,043 crore in the same period last year, a rise of nearly 133 per cent, according to Apeda.

“This year there has been a great surge in Basmati exports to Iran. While the quality of rice exported from India has improved, there could be other reasons for the rise in exports,” said R Sundaresan, Executive Director, All-India Rice Exporters Association.

Source : dailyshippingtimes.com