The expected surge in desire for non-basmati rice from the neighbouring Bangladesh notwithstanding, rice selling prices in West Bengal is most likely to continue being assortment certain this yr on the back of an approximated rise in output and distribution of cost-free rice by govt.

According to industry insiders, cost of the prevalent wide range non-basmati rice in Bengal is down by close to 8 per cent at ₹2,200-2,250 a quintal this yr as in contrast with ₹2,400-2,five hundred a quintal very same time period final yr. Price tag of paddy has been continuous at final years’ concentrations at close to ₹1,five hundred-1,seven-hundred a quintal this yr.

Bangladesh lately floated a tender to purchase fifty,000 tonnes of non-basmati rice from India. This aside, there is also a excellent desire for non-basmati rice from India in countries this sort of as Vietnam and Africa.

In 2019-twenty, Bangladesh imported shut to nine lakh tonne of non-basmati rice approximated at close to ₹2,600 crore. Though actual figures for 2020-21 have been not commonly accessible, industry estimates suggest that exports to Bangladesh would be shut to 10-fifteen lakh tonne.

A key chunk of the rice exported to Bangladesh commonly goes from West Bengal and the greater part of the export transpires involving September and February.

“The non-basmati rice exports to Bangladesh might not have a considerable impression on selling prices as govt – the two centre and point out – has been distributing cost-free rice in a large way and this has brought down selling prices in open up sector to some extent,” Sushil Kumar Choudhury, President, Bengal Rice Mills Affiliation, advised BusinessLine.

Better Manufacturing

Manufacturing of kharif paddy, which is the traditional crop of West Bengal, is predicted to be increased this yr backed by favourable weather conditions and ample rains, industry resources stated.

The State generates shut to 10.5-eleven million tonne of paddy for the duration of the kharif period accounting for virtually 70 per cent of the total output which is approximated to be shut to fifteen-16 million tonnes a yr and virtually 14 per cent of the country’s total output.

As per formal estimates, West Bengal has 5.8 million hectares under rice cultivation. Though formal estimates are nevertheless not accessible, even so, the State is most likely to sign-up a increased crop this yr. Sowing of paddy is currently underway in Bengal and harvesting is predicted to start by mid-Oct.

“There have been ample rains and the weather conditions seem quite favourable so we are expecting a quite excellent output this yr. We also have an ample stock from final yr so we do not be expecting any considerable rise in selling prices of paddy and rice this yr,” stated Suraj Agarwal, CEO, Tirupati Agri Trade.

Rice selling prices might inch up marginally by about two-to-a few per cent backed by desire from export marketplaces, he extra.