Exporters urge govt to lift aromatic rice export ban

FE REPORT
Rice exporters of the country have urged the government to withdraw the export ban of aromatic rice as they seek to resume the export of the produce with an eye to safeguarding its international market share.
According to sources, the rice exporters fear losing the international market of aromatic rice as the neighbouring countries are trying to take over the Bangladeshi fragrant rice market share following a ban on the export of the scented rice by the government.
Bangladesh Rice Exporters Association (BREA) has urged the authorities concerned to take necessary steps in this regard as the farmers of the country have witnessed a bumper production of the aromatic rice this season.
The BREA has recently sent a letter to the commerce ministry seeking special export permission in favour of the members of the association, an official of the ministry said.
Earlier on June 30 in 2022, the commerce ministry imposed a ban on export of aromatic rice to control its price in the local market. The ban came into effect from July 01 last year.
As per the move, the ministry cancelled the export permission it gave earlier in favour of 41 companies.
In February last year, the food ministry requested the commerce ministry to impose a ban on export of aromatic rice.
When contacted, a senior official of the commerce ministry said, "The ministry allowed a firm to export of 1,000 tonnes of aromatic rice as a special permission on May 24 this year."
"We are considering allowing export of aromatic rice as early as possible. We are working on the issue," he added.
There are opportunities to export 25 types of aromatic rice subject to special approval by the commerce ministry, as per the export policy.
Before the ban, the ministry allowed export of the item on a case-to-case basis.
Different private firms, including Ispahani, Square and Pran, export an estimated 10,000-16,000 tonnes of packaged aromatic rice to more than 135 countries every fiscal year.
Besides, 4,500-10,000 tonnes are exported for expatriate Bangladeshis working and living in different countries.
The aromatic rice is being exported to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Brunei, Bhutan, Canada, Switzerland, the UK, France, Germany, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Japan, Lebanon, the Maldives, Nepal, New Zealand, Myanmar, Mauritius, Malaysia, Kuwait, Liberia and South Africa.
Bangladeshi Chinigura, Kalijeera, Kataribhog, Basmati (locally known as Banglamoti) and Nenia rice verities have great demand in the overseas markets.
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