Despite the lockdown, Ramadan has brought cheer to basmati exporters in the region. Export of basmati to Middle Eastern countries, barring Iran, has ensured that exporters do not suffer the same fate as those whose orders have either been suspended or cancelled.
This is the peak period for demand of basmati in the Middle East, where Ramadan celebrations have just begun, and exporters with the help of the government have managed to send their consignments.
Vinod Kaul, executive director of the All-India Rice Exporters Association, said many consignments of basmati were in transit to the Middle East when the lockdown was announced in the last week of March. “Exporters in the region had almost 10 lakh tonnes of basmati export orders in February-March. Most of these were meant for Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. These consignments were delivered to buyers. Though a few consignments were stopped in transit, those too were allowed to be sent,” he told The Tribune.
Vijay Setia, a leading rice exporter, said of the orders for basmati received post the lockdown, 50 per cent had been delivered. “In the last week of March, the orders were held back. But the consignments were dispatched earlier this month. As a result, the rice exporters may not face as serious a fall in exports as others,” he said.
This news has not been edited by Apni Kheti staff but has been published by various news feeds
Source: The Tribune
