The Hindu Business Line : Par-boiled rice exports to Africa on the rise

AT least one lakh tonnes of par-boiled rice have been exported, mainly to West and North African countries, in small lots during the last couple of months.

With the Government yet to decide on the scheme to promote foodgrain exports, exporters are finding buyers for par-boiled rice only.

"Par-boiled rice is available only in India and Thailand. Therefore, there are some takers for our rice in Africa," trade sources said.

While around 80,000 tonnes have been sent to Nigeria and Somalia, countries such as Djibouti and Senegal have bought small quantities totalling 20,000 tonnes.

The 5 per cent sortex of IR5 has been sold at $272-$275 a tonne, while that of IR64 at $262-$263, they said.

"In fact, we have a niche market in West and North Africa," they said.

Prices for par-boiled are higher that last year since the rates in Thailand are up on a Government intervention programme.

Besides this, exports are taking place to West Asian destinations also. Last week, about 30,000 tonnes were shipped to Damman in Saudi Arabia.

"We have to be satisfied with whatever is happening now. We don't see the Government doing anything on the export front since the priority is to build up stocks," the sources said.

The Union Food and Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, has also ruled out allocation of foodgrains from the stocks held by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) as the buffer stocks are below norms for rice.

As on October 1, rice stocks with FCI were 60.92 lakh tonnes against the norm of 65 lakh tonnes. This is against a stock level of 214.52 lakh tonnes during the same period in 2001 and 157.70 lt in 2002.

On the other hand, wheat stocks were above the norms of 116 lt at 142.23 lt.

The Government had suspended allocation of foodgrains for exports since the second half of last year as stocks had dwindled and production was hit by drought.

During 2001, the Government had allocated foodgrains from FCI stocks to cut the burgeoning stocks. During 2002-03 fiscal, rice exports totalled a record 42.5 lt but during the last fiscal, it dipped to 26 lt. This year, it is expected to be below 20 lt.

Though rice production is expected to be around last year's level of 72.4 million tonnes, exporters don't expect the Government to ease exports.

"Export is not a priority for the Government and therefore, we don't expect the Centre to decide on incentives for exports immediately," the sources said.

"As of now, we can export par-boiled rice. Any shipment of white rice will be possible only if the price rises in the global market or the Government comes out with the promotion scheme," they added.

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