Kolkata: Amid reports that India has started government-to-government communication with a few rice producing countries including Indonesia for possible imports, Indonesia’s ambassador in India Andi M Ghalib said it was ready to export rice to India but that it is yet to receive any word from the Indian government.
But Indian companies are showing interest in importing non-basmati variety rice from Indonesia, said Ghalib. “We are ready to export rice to India. But so far they have not approached us,” he said.
Earlier, there were reports that the Indian government has started communications with the Indonesian authorities regarding government-to-government sale of rice.
Rice production in Indonesia is likely to touch 66.8 million tonne this year, registering an increase of 4.45% than last year owing to expansion in the net cropped area.
The production forecast will not only ensure Indonesia ‘s own demand but even make it surplus in rice in 2010. This has pushed Indonesia to increase export of rice from the country.
Although the Indonesian government is likely to tighten control over sales in the international market, it is ready to sell rice to India.
According to the ministry of agriculture, India’s buffer stock of rice is stable and more than the required level. National rice stock was 22.9 million tonne on December 1, higher than the buffer stock requirement of 5.2 million tonne.
Meanwhile, India is reportedly looking at opportunities to import rice at rates lower than the domestic procurement price. It has chosen government-to-government channel for purchase of rice to ensure a lower price for the commodity.
India ‘s rice production last year was hit due to the drought like situation in several states which pushed up global rice prices.
But the increase in kharif paddy production in Uttar Pradesh, and higher procurement in states like Haryana and Punjab have reduced chances of rice imports this year.
The shortfall in kharif crop was anticipated to touch 13 million tonne in 2009, but with procurement looking up, the Indian government has stalled imports for now.
“Indian companies have been importing rice from India on a case to case basis,” said Otto Riadi, counsellor at the Indonesian embassy in India .
“There has been demand for non-basmati variety of rice. But Indian companies do not import regularly,” Riadi said. He was present at an interactive session organised by the Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce.
According to estimates, over 500,000 tonne of.rice has been available in Indonesia for exports. “We have received enquiries from different companies in India already,” Riadi said
Source : Financial Express