Asian nations join hands to promote rice bran oil

The major rice producing countries of Asia — India, China, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam — have decided to promote the use of rice bran oil and facilitate its global trade.

The newly-formed International Association of Rice Bran Oil ( IARBO) is in the process of being registered in Thailand and will be headquartered out of Bangkok, said Dr AR Sharma, president of the association.

Pakistan has also enrolled to become part of the organisation, Sharma said, adding that more rice producing countries in the continent are expected to join the association. Though the oil is considered cheap and healthier, it has not gained popularity among Indian consumers as it does not have any particular taste unlike groundnut, soyabean or sunflower oils, he pointed out.

Unlike Europeans, who produce and promote the use of olive oil extensively, there is little awareness about rice bran oil and its health benefits, Sharma said, adding that a recent study says that rice bran is much more suitable for Indian cooking because Indians cook at high heat and olive oil often does not break down as easily.

Globally, about 15 lakh tonne of rice bran oil is produced, out of which India produces about 9.5 lakh tonne per annum.

IARBO was formed at the initiative of Dr Xubeing Xu, Wilmar Global R&D Centre and asst prof. Dr Riantong Singanusong, Naresuan University, Thailand. They brought together India, China, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam. The objectives of IARBO are to encourage technological innovations in the field of processing rice bran oil and other value added products and to standardise specifications of the oil with a view to promote international trade.

According to Sharma, the potential of rice bran oil in the world is 3.5 million tonne as against about 1.5 million tonne at present. The major producers are India (9,50,000 T), China (2,00,000 T), Japan (80,000 T) and Thailand (50,000 T).

Although China is the highest producer of paddy in the world, bran is chiefly used as animal feed and while Japan is a pioneer of rice bran oil, there is limited availability of raw material which puts India in a very comfortable position, he said.

Over 40 Units were set up in the recent past throughout India with the assistance from the government, said BV Mehta, executive director, Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA). The government recently allowed export of rice bran Oil in bulk. This has opened a new avenue to tap eorld market, he said.