South Africans welcome India's return to rice exports

(By Planeta Arroz, with agencies) South African importers have expressed approval for India’s decision to ease restrictions on rice exports, according to a report by the Press Trust of India published on October 6. Global rice prices have declined since the Indian government lifted its ban on the export of non-basmati white rice last month. The ban, introduced on July 20, 2023 to increase domestic supply, had been in place for over a year. Pranav Thakkar of Dev International, one of the largest importers of Indian products in South Africa, welcomed the move, saying the country imports about 10 million tons of rice annually. He said that after Thailand and Vietnam, which together account for 70% of South Africa’s rice imports, India is the next largest supplier. Thakkar also said that short-grain white rice is sold in South Africa to the general population and re-exported to neighboring countries. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the South African Agricultural Business Chamber, ...