The government has extended the period for export of Broken rice through National Cooperative Exports (NCEL) up to November 30, 2024 to Senegal and Gambia. The move comes after the government banned outbound shipments of broken rice in September 2022 to augment domestic supplies and then amended it on May 2024 allowing shipments to countries to meet their food security needs and 'based on the request of their government'.
On November 30, 2023, India had initially authorised exports of a specified quantity of broken rice to the two West African nations via state entity NCEL. The current amendment extends this approval window for another six months until November 30, 2024.
India is the world's biggest exporter of rice and the policy changes are intended adequate domestic stocks while addressing humanitarian needs in food-deficit regions. The government continues to monitor the domestic supply situation and global price movements to calibrate export policies. To check the domestic prices and to ensure domestic food security, the Government has been taking measures to restrict export of rice from India.