Centre considers review of FOB value for RCAC for basmati rice by APEDA

The present arrangement of 1200 MT is in place till a decision is taken on the FOB value

The Government has taken a series of measures in order to check the domestic prices of rice and ensure adequate availability for domestic consumers.  One of the measures is that contracts for Basmati rice exports with the value of $1200 per MT and above only may be registered for the issue of Registration – cum – Allocation Certificate (RCAC) effective from 25th August 2023. This measure was necessitated as the Government had received credible field reports regarding misclassification and illegal export of non-basmati white rice, exports of which have been prohibited with effect from 20th July 2023. It had been reported that non-basmati white rice was being exported under the HS code of Basmati rice.

Now, the new crop of Basmati has started arriving and there is generally a decline in prices when the new crop starts arriving.  Based on the representations received from the Rice Exporter Associations that the high FOB value is adversely affecting the export of basmati rice from the country, the Minister, of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution attended a consultative meeting with the basmati rice exporters. Based on the discussions in this meeting, the review of the FOB price of a contract for the issue of RCAC by APEDA for the export of basmati rice is under active consideration by the Government. The present arrangement will continue until an appropriate decision is taken by the Government.