India allows exports of de-oiled rice bran

Lifts ban after more than two years, expects higher production

NEW DELHI:

India on Friday lifted its ban on exports of de-oiled rice bran with immediate effect, ending restrictions that had been in place for more than two years, the government said.

Before the ban was imposed in July 2023, India exported 500,000 metric tons of de-oiled rice bran per year, worth about 10 billion rupees, mainly to Vietnam, Thailand, and other Asian countries.

The resumption of exports will lead to higher production of both de-oiled rice bran, which is used in the cattle feed industry, and rice bran oil, industry officials said.

Prices of de-oiled rice bran have fallen by half since July 2023 to about 10,000 Indian rupees ($113) per ton, according to the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA).

SEA Executive Director BV Mehta said exports would benefit the rice milling and solvent extraction industry, particularly in eastern India, while helping farmers and processors gain better value from rice bran byproducts.

India is the world's largest importer of vegetable oils, including palm oil, soyoil and sunflower oil, sourcing them from countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Argentina, Russia and Ukraine.

Mehta said the resumption of de-oiled rice bran exports should make extraction profitable and boost supplies of rice bran oil, which India needs to reduce imports.

Ajay Jhunjhunwala, an oil miller in Lucknow in northern India, said he believed exports would revive local prices and enable the industry to export the surplus.

Earlier last month, Reuters reported that heavy rains and widespread flooding in Basmati rice-growing regions of India and Pakistan have raised concerns over output of the premium staple, driving prices higher as supplies are expected to fall.

India and Pakistan exclusively grow aromatic Basmati rice, which sells for nearly twice the price of regular varieties and is primarily imported by Britain, the Middle East and the United States.