Apeda blacklists basmati rice brands Mohsen and Avazah over defaults

Agency will not issue requisite certificate clearing exports under these two labels, due to persistent non-payment by Gulf importers for consignments shipped from Indian shores

The Agricultural and Processed Food Product Export Development Authority (Apeda) has blacklisted two private basmati rice brands, Mohsen and Avazah, owned by importers in Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, with immediate effect.

The move follows persistent payment defaults on the part of the Gulf-based importers to Indian exporters.

Until two years ago, many Indian exporters were booking orders from Iran, the UAE, Bahrain and other Gulf nations, and shipping 1121-variety basmati rice under the two aforesaid private brands.

Informed sources said several importers in the Middle East and Iran had defaulted in making payments of at least