Earlier Daryo mentioned that the government of India, under Narendra Modi, has imposed a ban on the export of most rice varieties due to rising domestic prices. As India constitutes about 40% of the international rice market, experts anticipate an increase in world rice prices.
There were speculations and rumours on Uzbek social networks about the potential impact of this export ban on the local market. However, on July 25, the Ministry of Agriculture has clarified that Uzbekistan will not be significantly affected by the suspension of rice supplies from India.
Official data indicates that since the beginning of the year, Uzbekistan has imported 53.5 thousand tons of rice, with India's contribution being only 0.2% of that number, or 126 tons, which is the highest in five years. In contrast, Kazakhstan is the main rice supplier to the local market, accounting for more than half of the total volume with 29.3 thousand tons imported in six months. Pakistan follows with 23.2 thousand tons (43.3%), Thailand with 599 tons, and Turkey with 265 tons.
Moreover, Uzbekistan's own rice production has been substantial, with 310 thousand tons harvested from an area of 105.8 thousand hectares in 2022. This means that the country covers approximately 87.8% of its rice needs (353 thousand tons) with an average consumption of 9.8 kg per person annually.
Although there has been an average price increase of 35.2% compared to July 2022, the markets are currently well-supplied with rice from reserves, and the situation is not indicative of a price hike due to the Indian export ban.
Despite the ban on rice exports from India and concerns about potential price hikes in the global market, Uzbekistan's rice market remains relatively unaffected. The country's significant domestic production and import sources from other countries, particularly Kazakhstan and Pakistan, have contributed to its self-sufficiency in meeting its rice demand. As clarified by the Ministry of Agriculture, the information about an increase in rice prices circulating on social networks is unfounded and stems from speculative situations.
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