China Rejects Three Shipments of Indian Rice

25-Mar-2026 01:50 PM

New Delhi: Citing the alleged presence of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) as a pretext, China has rejected three consignments of Indian rice. Although these shipments had already been certified by a Chinese agency—and despite Chinese importers being fully aware that GM paddy or rice is not produced in India—the three rice consignments were nevertheless rejected.

It is widely believed that this constitutes a calculated move by China, utilizing this pretext to allow its importers to exert pressure on Indian exporters to lower rice prices. The return of these rice consignments from Chinese ports is expected to cause significant difficulties for Indian exporters.

Prior to their dispatch to China, these consignments of non-Basmati rice were inspected and tested by a Chinese agency, which granted clearance for the shipment only after being fully satisfied with the results. Despite this, the rice was subsequently rejected on the pretext of containing GMOs.

Commercial production of any GM food crop is currently not permitted in India. The companies whose rice consignments were rejected in China have raised this issue with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), urging them to intervene in the matter.

Chinese importers and officials have demanded an official declaration from the exporters, specifically confirming that the rice produced in India does not fall under the GM category.