The government on Friday lifted a two-year ban on the export of de-oiled rice bran, used as cattle feed.
India had imposed a temporary export ban on de-oiled rice bran (DORB) from August, 2023 and the move was aimed at increasing domestic feed supplies while curbing cattle feed costs, which was linked to rising milk prices.
“The export policy of de-oiled rice bran is hereby amended from prohibited to free with immediate effect,” the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification.
Benefits for domestic industry
“The most os expected to benefit the rice milling and solvent extraction industry, particularly in eastern India with opening export opportunities, while also adiing farmers and processors in securing better realisation for by-products of rice bran,” BV Mehta, executive director, Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), said
Earlier SEA had earlier urged the government to lift the ban on exports to protect domestic processors and enhance farmers’ income.
Prior to the imposition of restriction, India exported 0.5 – 0.6 MT of DORB annually valued at Rs 1,000 crore, mostly to Asian countries.
Because of restriciton on exports, the importers to shift to alternative protein sources such as maize, Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), and rice in countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nigeria, according to industry sources.
Govt removes restrictions on dairy & farm products to Bhutan
Meanwhile, the government exempted applicable restrictions and prohibitions for the agricultural commodities like dairy goods, onions, potatoes, certain vegetables, rice, and wheat, to Bhutan, according to a DGFT notification.
These exemptions are also on other commodities, including tea, soybean oil, groundnut oil, palm oil, animal, vegetable fats and oils, Cane or beet sugar, and salt.
India had curbed exports of wheat and atta to ensure a comfortable supply in the domestic market, but has made an exception for Bhutan.
Govt removes exemption requirement for non-basmati & basmati rice to EU members till April 2, 2026
India has exempted the certificate of inspection by export inspection council (EIC) for basmati and non-basmati rice exports to most European countries, except the EU member states, UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, for a six-month till April 2, 2026, as per a DGFT notification.
The government has approved the export of 100 tonnes of wheat seed (DWR-162) from the University of Dharwad to Indonesia through National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL) via Mangalore sea port as a one-time exemption.