Rice Exporters Seek Government Intervention in China GMO Dispute

28-Apr-2026 12:32 PM

New Delhi. China has rejected certain consignments of rice imported from India, claiming that they contain traces of GM rice; however, the reality is that the production, trade, and use of GM rice are completely banned in India. Furthermore, India does not import rice from abroad, as it remains the world's largest exporter of the grain.

The Rice Exporters Association of Chhattisgarh has urged the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry to intervene immediately and effectively in this matter, given the gravity of the situation. Reports have also emerged indicating that China has revoked the import licenses of two or three Indian rice exporting firms.

The Association asserts that the exporters' licenses were suspended on baseless pretexts. It argues that the Commerce Minister should engage in dialogue with China to ensure the protection of the exporters' interests.

According to the Association, Chinese authorities rejected rice consignments shipped from India on frivolous grounds, resulting in substantial financial losses for the exporters.

Surprisingly, Chinese importers are once again purchasing rice from India, though the exporters remain highly cautious this time around. APEDA has also affirmed that rice exported from India falls strictly under the non-GMO category; yet, despite this clarification, issues regarding rice consignments at Chinese ports persist.