India has moved to tighten monitoring of non-basmati rice shipments. The government has announced that all export contracts for non-basmati rice must now be registered with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

On Wednesday, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification confirming the change. From now on, exports will only be permitted once contracts are officially registered with APEDA.

IREF Welcomes the Move

The Indian Exporters Federation (IREF) has welcomed the decision. According to Prem Garg, National President of IREF, the policy brings non-basmati rice under the same framework as basmati rice. Exporters of basmati rice have been registering contracts for years, and extending this requirement to non-basmati exports is seen as a positive step.

“This move introduces uniformity, transparency, and accountability in India’s rice export policy,” IREF stated.

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Why the Policy Matters?

Non-basmati rice has often been a politically sensitive commodity. In the past, frequent restrictions and sudden policy changes disrupted trade. Exporters who had already signed contracts with overseas buyers faced major losses, as transitional relaxations were rarely enough to cover the industry.

With the new system, the government will gain better visibility into export commitments. This will allow for transparent monitoring and help balance domestic supply priorities with export opportunities.

Impact on Exporters

Mandatory registration is expected to protect the interests of exporters while creating a predictable trade environment. The nominal registration fee has been fixed at ₹8 per tonne.

Experts believe this step will also strengthen India’s global standing among the top 10 rice exporters in India. It may even reinforce the country’s competitive edge compared to the top 10 rice exporters companies in the world.

Export Growth Continues

Despite regulatory changes, India’s rice shipments remain strong. Exports rose 6.4% year-on-year to $4.7 billion during April–August FY26. This growth underlines India’s role as the world’s largest rice supplier.

For global buyers, rice prices in India remain a key benchmark, further enhancing the appeal of Indian exports.

Also Read – India Set to Become the World’s Largest Rice Producer in 2024–25

Conclusion

The APEDA registration requirement for non-basmati rice exports marks a significant shift in India’s trade policy. The step is likely to bring stability, transparency, and uniformity for exporters. At the same time, it ensures that domestic needs are not overlooked. With strong export growth and competitive pricing, India continues to hold a leading position in the global rice trade.