India: Govt makes export registration mandatory for non-Basmati rice

The Indian government is making registration of export contracts mandatory with its Agri-export promotion body, APEDA, for non-Basmati rice before shipments are allowed by the Customs Department. This is on the lines of the current system in place for Basmati rice. The government may charge a fee of INR 10-20/tonne for the registration. This will be used for promotion of Indian rice abroad.