India lifts ban on rice export to seven countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Guinea, Seychelles

India has validated exports of rice to seven countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Guinea and Seychelles several months after banning the export of the crop in view of meeting the needs of the domestic market and reducing increasing prices.
Per the decision to lift the ban, ‘Sika Finance’ reports, India will send 1.34 million tons to the seven countries. 474,000 tons of the shipment will go to the African countries, 190,000 tons to Cameroon and 142,000 tons for Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea.
The Asian country which is also world’s leading rice exporter, in July 2023 banned the export of NBW (Non-basmati white) rice (semi-milled or wholly milled, whether polished or not, glazed).
The move sent shock waves through the Asian market and global market for the staple food.
Côte d’Ivoire, the African continent’s largest importer, 41 per cent of Indian exports felt the blow with rice prices shooting up. Cameroon is the second market of the Indian rice exports on the continent, 25 per cent. The country’s Trade minister Magloire Mbarga Atangana, ‘Sika Finance’ reports, said the new shipment to Cameroon will cover three-month needs.
Both Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon have pledged to reduce their dependence on India or imports. Yaounde in May 2023 proposed $620 million to support rice production. The central African country expects to produce 750,000 tons of rice by 2030.
Côte d’Ivoire on the other hand rolled out a 2020-2030 plan backed by a $241 million budget in view of reaching self-dependence by 2025.