West The continuously worsening situation in Asia is having a serious impact on the export of high quality rice like Basmati and hot non-Basmati rice from Madhya Pradesh to foreign countries. Major rice exporters and industry operators of the state have expressed concern over this. Basmati rice of Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh and hot non-Basmati rice of Balaghat district have special identity and are exported to many foreign countries including Gulf countries. Ajay Bhalotia, General Secretary of All India Rice Exporters Association, said that due to the ongoing war in West Asia, Basmati rice sent abroad from Raisen district is stuck in ports, factories and warehouses. He said that freight has also become costlier by 30 percent while there has also been a shortage of containers.
Concerns of producers and exporters increased
Bhalotia said that due to all this, exporters are not only having to pay higher freight but it has also become difficult to fulfill orders on time due to goods hanging at the ports. More than two dozen rice factories are operating in Mandideep, Satlapur, Aubedullaganj, Raisen, Bareilly, Udaipura, Umraoganj areas of Raisen district, in which high quality Basmati rice is extracted and exported to Gulf countries. Bhalotia said that these rice are exported in large quantities to many other Gulf countries including Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Dubai. He said that due to the complete stoppage of exports due to the war between America and Israel with Iran, the paddy mills of the district are closed, which has increased the concern of the producers and exporters.
Pusa basmati paddy prices fell by Rs 300 to Rs 500
Manoj Soni, director of Raisen Rice Factory, said that due to lack of demand in the Gulf country, the price of Pusa Basmati paddy has fallen by Rs 300 to Rs 500 per quintal, which is directly impacting the farmers. He said that due to this, the arrival of paddy has also reduced and the supply chain has weakened due to the supply of raw materials being affected. He said that if the war continues for a long time, small and medium industries will be more affected. Former president of Association of All Industries, Rajeev Aggarwal said that the economy of the district has suffered a setback due to the war. He said that even sufficient containers are not available to send goods by sea route. He said, “Earlier a container was available here for $2500. Now it is not easily available even for $3200. Due to the increase in freight, there has been a direct increase in the export cost.”
About 25 percent business of big industrialists affected
According to industry sources, about 25 percent of the business of big industrialists has been affected, while the business of small industrial operators has almost reached a standstill. An industrialist associated with rice export said that this decline in export is likely to have a direct impact on the local paddy market of the district. He said that at present the price of paddy in the mandis is around Rs 1800 per quintal, which may come down to Rs 1600 per quintal in the coming time.
With PTI inputs