Rice Exporters Protest Barricading at Kakinada, Vizag Ports

18-Jul-2025 12:44 PM

Vijayawada. Although the Andhra Pradesh government is barricading Kakinada and Visakhapatnam (Vizag) ports and thoroughly checking rice-laden vehicles arriving there—allegedly to curb the export of PDS rice—this move is causing trouble and financial loss to exporters from other states.

Rajesh Jain Pahadiya, an agricultural expert and Chief Manager (Business Development) of KRIBHCO Agri, pointed out that India is the world’s largest exporter of rice with a 42–45% share in the global market.

A significant volume of rice from Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh is exported via Chennai, Kakinada, and Vizag ports. He stressed that the rice export trade is conducted transparently and online, and there should be no obstacle in its operation. He added that discussions have taken place with ministers and officials, urging them to lift the barricades immediately.

Prem Garg, National President of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation, also voiced strong concern over the issue. He highlighted that India is set to host the International Rice Conference in October, where around 1,000 delegates from India and abroad are expected.

He warned that if foreign delegates learn about the restricted access to two of India’s most crucial rice export ports, it could send a negative signal. He emphasized that India has no rice shortage, and without regular exports of surplus stock, various problems could arise.

Mukesh Jain, a prominent rice exporter from Chhattisgarh, stated that if the Andhra Pradesh government suspects the diversion of PDS rice, checks should be implemented at other control points, not outside the ports.

He suggested that a few local exporters might be attempting to monopolize the export business from these ports. According to Prem Garg, there is a higher risk of PDS rice entering the open domestic market rather than being exported.