Challenge to increase export of Basmati rice in South-East Asia

30-Sep-2024 08:47 PM

New Delhi. There is no doubt that rice is the staple food of people in the continent of Asia and especially in the Association of South-East Asian Nations- ASEAN.

Some of the largest rice consumer countries in the world are located there, which includes Thailand and Philippines as well as major exporting countries like Thailand and Vietnam.

Both raw (white) and sela rice are consumed in large quantities in these countries, but Basmati rice is not used much. Due to this, India is facing difficulty in making its presence felt there.

Increasing the export of this premium quality long grain aromatic rice of India to ASEAN countries is a challenge, but exporters are also rapidly looking for opportunities there.

Traditionally, the use of short grain normal category rice has been preferred in the countries of South-East Asia, but now with the continuation of globalization, people's choice and food style is changing rapidly, due to which the import of Indian Basmati rice is expected to increase in these countries.

This may take some time. But once this process starts, South-East Asia can become an important market for Indian Basmati rice just like Central Asia, Gulf region, North America and European Union.

Although countries like Indonesia and Singapore import coarse rice from India, they do not pay attention to the purchase of Basmati rice. Exporters along with the Indian government may have to work hard to create new markets there.