India has exported 55.26 lakh tonnes of rice, valued at over $3.17 billion (Rs 21185.11 crore), in the first six months of the current financial year.
During the April-September period, the country has exported 20.84 LT of basmati rice valued at over $1.91 billion (Rs 12764.53 crore) and 34.42 LT of other varieties valued at over $1.25 billion (Rs 8353.75 crore).
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also informed that India exported 1.19 crore tonne rice valued at $7.8 billion (Rs 52127.4 crore) in the last financial year.
According to the data shared by the minister, the maximum quantity of 5.98 lakh tonnes was exported to Saudi Arabia, followed by 5.08 tonnes to Senegal and 4.15 lakh tonnes to UAE.
In a separate reply, the minister informed that import of ‘plastic rice’ has not been permitted. Import of rice is allowed through Food Corporation of India (FCI) and its import is also subject to clearance by FSSAI.
IANS