India's rice export ban deserves a global response

By Jose Ma Luis Montesclaros* Much criticism has been leveled against India's July 2023 decision to “ban” exports of non-basmati rice, which previously accounted for a third of its international milled rice sales. Critics further argued that India's decision, as the world's largest rice exporter, could undermine its claim to lead the Global South, falling short of its promises to tackle global food challenges under its G20 presidency in 2023. India's export bans could also be seen as irresponsible if they are motivated not primarily by domestic food security but rather by political reasons. Ahead of the March 2024 elections, there is a need to appease India's urban middle class by reducing rising food prices. The Indian government has not yet normalized rice trade, and the situation is getting worse every month. In 2023, New Delhi imposed new restrictions on parboiled rice, which accounts for 42% of India's milled rice exports. Since then, rice prices have soared to levels similar ...