Basmati exporters expect higher output on good monsoon forecast

No change seen in shipment volumes; basmati output in the country is roughly 6.6 million tonnes

The forecast of a good monsoon and projected rise in basmati paddy sowing is likely to mean more earnings for its exporters in the current season, though the volume of shipments is not expected to change.

Of all paddy production, basmati accounts for about 6.6 million tonnes (mt); last year's sowing was on 1.6 mn hectares.

This year’s monsoon forecast and farmers' better realisation last year is projected to result in more sowing. That translates to a lower purchase price for processors and exporters. The volume of export is not expected to go up, due to difficult economic conditions in the key