Page 2 - Rice Prices

Slow purchases in some states drag rice procurement for central pool

Rice procurement for the central pool remains sub-par for the 2023-24 season starting in October due to slow purchases in Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh

UN's world food price index ends 2023 around 10% below 2022 levels

The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) price index, which tracks the most globally traded food commodities, averaged 118.5 points in December, down 1.5% from November

Govt plans to sell FCI rice under Bharat brand; price not yet decided

In order to check rice inflation, the government is considering a proposal to sell FCI rice under the 'Bharat' brand but the discounted rate has not yet been decided, a food ministry official said. The ministry's efforts to check retail rice prices by boosting domestic availability through sale of FCI rice via e-auction under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) has received a lukewarm response. "There is a proposal to retail 'Bharat rice' but the price has not yet been decided," the official told PTI on Wednesday. Under the OMSS, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is offering quality rice at a reserve price of Rs 29 per kg. "Whether to sell Bharat rice at the same rate or reduced rate, the decision has to be taken by the Group of Ministers," the official added. The government is already selling wheat flour (atta) and pulses under the Bharat brand through outlets managed by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), National Cooperative Consumers' .

Govt plans to sell FCI rice under Bharat brand, price not yet decided

In order to check rice inflation, the government is considering a proposal to sell FCI rice under the 'Bharat' brand but the discounted rate has not yet been decided, a food ministry official said on Wednesday. The ministry's efforts to check retail rice prices by boosting domestic availability through sale of FCI rice via e-auction under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) has received a lukewarm response. "There is a proposal to retail 'Bharat rice' but the price has not yet been decided," the official told PTI. Under the OMSS, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is offering quality rice at a reserve price of Rs 29 per kg. "Whether to sell Bharat rice at the same rate or reduced rate, the decision has to be taken by the Group of Ministers," the official added. The government is already selling wheat flour (atta) and pulses under the Bharat brand through outlets managed by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), National Cooperative Consumers' .

Govt sells 0.34 mn tn wheat, 13,164 tn rice in open market to check prices

The government has sold 3.46 lakh tonnes of wheat and 13,164 tonnes of rice through e-auctions to bulk consumers as part of its effort to boost domestic supplies and control retail prices. The government is selling wheat and rice from its buffer stocks to keep retail prices under control under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS). Food Corporation of India (FCI), the government's nodal agency for food grains procurement and distribution, is conducting the e-auctions. The Centre has allocated 101.5 lakh tonnes of wheat for the OMSS till March 2024. "The 26th e-auction was held on December 20 wherein 4 lakh tonnes wheat and 1.93 lakh tonnes rice was offered. In the e-auction, 3.46 lakh tonnes wheat and 13,164 tonnes rice was sold at a weighted average of Rs 2,178.24 per quintal for wheat and Rs 2905.40 per quintal for rice," an official statement said. To control the retail prices of rice, wheat and atta, the government is organising weekly e-auctions of both wheat and rice. The minim

Brisk export orders stoke new season basmati rice prices in India

This month, Reuters reported that India signed contracts to export about 500,000 metric tonnes of new season basmati rice, indicating brisk overseas sales of the premium aromatic variety

Global rice prices are not expected to cool down before 2025: World Bank

The Centre has already clamped down on the export of rice from India and imposed hefty import duties on some other variants, thus wiping off almost 40 per cent of supplies from the world rice markets

Kharif crop output, including rice, may drop due to uneven monsoon

Initial production estimate of other crops too expected to be less than last year

20% export duty woes: Parboiled rice exports fall over 80% in a month

Duty woes: Basmati rice exports down 30% from Aug 25 to Sep 20

High rice prices, fueled by export ban, bring risk of social unrest: UN

The export ban is bringing back memories of 2008, when a global rice crisis put 100 million people at risk, many in sub-Saharan Africa

Rice prices in Asia hit 15-yr high after India's 6-week campaign of curbs

Rice is vital to the diets of billions and contributes as much as 60% of the total calorie intake for people in parts of Southeast Asia and Africa

No plan as of now to restrict exports of par-boiled rice: Food Secy

There is no proposal, as of now, to restrict exports of par-boiled non-basmati rice, Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said on Tuesday. On July 20, the central government banned exports of non-basmati white rice to boost domestic supply and keep retail prices under check during the upcoming festive season. In September last year, exports of broken rice were prohibited. "There is no proposal as of now to restrict par-boiled rice exports," Chopra told reporters here when asked whether the government was considering banning exports or imposing an export duty on par-boiled rice to curb outward shipments and control prices. As per the commerce ministry data, India's total exports of basmati rice stood at USD 4.8 billion in 2022-23, while in volume terms it was at 45.6 lakh tonnes. Similarly, exports of non-basmati stood at USD 6.36 billion in the last fiscal. In volume terms, it was 177.9 lakh tonnes. "Non-Basmati white rice constitutes about 25 per cent of total rice exported from t

Global food security at crossroads as rice shortages, surging prices hit

Francis Ndege isn't sure if his customers in Africa's largest slum can afford to keep buying rice from him. Prices for rice grown in Kenya soared a while ago because of higher fertiliser prices and a yearslong drought in the Horn of Africa that has reduced production. Cheap rice imported from India had filled the gap, feeding many of the hundreds of thousands of residents in Nairobi's Kibera slum who survive on less than $2 a day. But that is changing. The price of a 25 kg (55-pound) bag of rice has risen by a fifth since June. Wholesalers are yet to receive new stocks since India, the world's largest exporter of rice by far, said last month that it would ban some rice shipments. It's an effort by the world's most populous nation to control domestic prices ahead of a key election year but it's left a yawning gap of around 9.5 million metric tonnes (10.4 tons) of rice that people around the world need, roughly a fifth of global exports. I'm really hoping the imports keep coming, sa

Surging rice prices make things difficult for billions in Asia and Africa

The grain is vital to the diets of billions in Asia and Africa. Rice contributes as much as 60 per cent of total calorie intake for people in parts of Southeast Asia and Africa

Govt to offload additional wheat, rice via open market to tame prices

On likely cut in wheat import duty, the government said it will take action based on the requirement as things are dynamic and evolving

Govt says retail wheat and rice prices firm again increased in July

The retail prices of wheat and rice have again increased to Rs 29.59 per kilogramme and Rs 40.82 per kg, respectively in July, Parliament was informed on Wednesday. Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, in her written reply to the Lok Sabha, said the retail prices of wheat and rice are continuously changing and the government is closely monitoring the prices. The average retail price of wheat in January was Rs 31.58 per kg, which reduced to Rs.28.74 per kg in May. Thereafter, the average retail price of wheat has again increased to Rs 29.59 per kg in July, she said. In case of rice too, the average retail price has increased to Rs 40.82 per kg in July from Rs 38.09 per kg in January. The minister said the government has taken various steps from time to time to augment domestic availability and stabilize the prices of essential food commodities. These steps, inter-alia, include releases of wheat and rice under OMSS(D) from the .

Why states must not use central food grains for non-entitled categories

The Centre's decision in discontinuing with OMSS to states is in the interest of entire nation

Rice risks hitting decade-high as top exporter India imposes export curbs

Rice is vital to the diets of billions in Asia and Africa, and a surge in prices would add to inflationary pressures and jack up the import bills for buyers

Rice prices to climb further after India export ban, trade at standstill

In Thailand, the world's second biggest exporter, suppliers were waiting to find out prices before signing new deals

India mulls banning exports of most rice varieties as local prices surge

The government is discussing a plan to ban exports of all non-Basmati rice, according to people familiar with the matter