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Key Points

The Israel-Iran ceasefire has allowed India's Basmati rice exports to the Gulf to resume after a 12-day halt. Over 1 lakh tonnes were stranded at Gujarat ports as ships couldn't sail through conflict zones. With 80% of India's Basmati going to Gulf nations, the truce brought relief to exporters and boosted their stock prices. The resumption comes as India's rice production rebounded after better monsoons following last year's shortages.

Key Points: India Basmati Exports to Gulf Resume After Israel-Iran Ceasefire

  • 1 lakh tonnes of Basmati stuck at Indian ports during conflict
  • Gulf accounts for 80% of India's Basmati exports
  • Rice exporter stocks rebound post-ceasefire
  • Iran alone imports 35% of India's Basmati
2 min read

Way paved for India's Gulf-bound rice exports to resume as war clouds lift

India's Basmati rice exports to Gulf nations resume as shipping routes reopen post Israel-Iran truce, easing trade disruptions.

"The coast is clear for the resumption of ships to sail through. – Industry Sources"

New Delhi, June 25

The Israel-Iran ceasefire has paved the way for India's Basmati exports to resume to the Gulf region, which is a major market for the aromatic rice, with Iran accounting for as much as 35 per cent of the total shipments.

Around one lakh tonnes of Basmati rice was stuck at Indian ports due to the 12-day war between Israel and Iran as ships could not sail to the conflict zone.

These shipments were mainly stranded at the Kandla and Mundra ports on the Gujarat coast.

India's rice shipments to the Gulf countries pass through the Strait of Hormuz and with the war clouds having lifted the coast is clear for the resumption of ships to sail through.

The welcome relief is also reflected in the Indian stock markets with the shares of Indian rice exporters such LT Foods, KRBL and Chaman Lal Setia Exports, which had crashed during the 12-day war, bouncing back after US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

Indian rice exports (Basmati and non-Basmati) to Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, Qatar, and Oman in the Gulf region.

As much as 80 per cent of India's Basmati rice is exported to the Gulf, and 35 per cent of India's Basmati rice is exported to Iran, according to industry sources.

In 2024-25, India exported Basmati rice worth $753 million to Iran up from $681 million in 2023-24, according to data compiled by the Commerce Ministry.

India's rice imports shot up in 2024-25 because of the increase in farm yields due to a better monsoon.

The erratic monsoon in 2023-24 had adversely impacted the agricultural sector and this had led to high food inflation.

The Indian government had been forced to impose restrictions on rice exports to increase the availability of the food grain in the domestic market and bring down prices that were threatening to spin out of control.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is great news for our farmers and exporters! The Gulf market is crucial for Basmati rice. Hope the government continues to support our agricultural exports while ensuring domestic food security. 🙏
P
Priya M.
Finally some good news! My uncle's rice export business was suffering badly during this conflict. The Gulf countries love our Basmati - it's a matter of national pride that our rice is so sought after worldwide.
S
Sanjay T.
While exports resuming is good, we must remember that domestic prices were already high. The government should maintain some export restrictions to protect Indian consumers first. Jai Kisan!
A
Ananya P.
The dependence on Gulf markets makes our agriculture vulnerable to geopolitical tensions. Maybe we should diversify our export markets? Just a thought... 🤔
V
Vikram J.
Good to see our rice exports bouncing back! The stock market reaction shows how important this sector is for our economy. Basmati rice is truly India's soft power in the Gulf region.
N
Neha R.
Hope the better monsoon continues! Our farmers have suffered enough. The government must invest more in irrigation and storage facilities to prevent future crises. #SupportOurFarmers

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