Hygiene norms hold up basmati exports

The country may be able to export about five lakh tonne of basmati rice to China over the next five years if the government resolves the issues regarding phyto-sanitary (plant hygiene) norms.

"Unresolved government policies on market access strategy are affecting the export of Indian basmati to countries like China and Mexico," said Karan Chanana, secretary general, All India Rice Exporters' Association.

While, at present, China does not import Indian basmati rice, Pakistani basmati has gained access to Chinese market this year.

Pakistan is expected to export about 50,000 tonne basmati to China. "We are losing out an important export market like China to Pakistan," he said.

The matter is being taken up with China at the joint-secretary level and a team from that country is likely to visit India towards the end of the year.

"We have also invited Pakistan to have a discussion in order to apply for a joint GI (geographic indication) for the protection of basmati, which is our common heritage," Chanana added.

The industry has also proposed that the government should create a third category of rice "" aromatic rice "" in addition to the basmati and non-basmati categories. This will have a good export potential.

"The domestic basmati market is unregulated. The absence of a regulatory mechanism for certifying brands of basmati rice is affecting the industry. There is a need for a consistent food law enforcement to deal with mislabelling and cheating of the consumer," said Chanana.

For the country, which currently exports about 1.15 million tonne of basmati rice, the variety occupies a strategic place in its overall export basket.