-Satish Handa

According to rice exporters in Haryana especially at Karnal-Kurukshetra and Fatehabad belts known for production and export of quality rice across the world, there is heavy demand of Basmati rice in middle-east countries including Iran, Kuwait, Iraq, Iceland, Norway, Netherland and many more presently in the grip of killer corona virus disease. Many countries has already declared lock down or are likely to declare it soon to stop spreading disease in their country as such Haryana rice exporters supplying Basmati or other qualities 1121, 1509, 1401 type rice to nearly 22 Middle-east countries getting bulk orders are in a fix to supply material fearing if and when their export consignments would reach destination in present circumstances when large number of countries has stopped entry from other countries sealing their borders.

According to exporters, they are now receiving bulk orders from countries including Europe, Italy, Germany and England but it would take 40-45 days in shipment and exporters are worried if their consignments would reach destination in time when situation in entire world have turned grim and most of the countries has declared lock down and imposed ban over entry in their countries like Kuwait has stopped entry from 12 countries including India, which would adversely affect sale of Indian rice exporters.

Rice exporters told The Financial World that they were facing severe slump till a month ago and there were no orders for rice even at lesser rates dropped between Rs 300 to 400 per quintal Basmati rice, especially in middle-east countries due to extremely poor demand, which have now witnessed hike all of sudden due to corona virus spread. Exporters from Fatehabad told that earlier they were despatching two to three containers having 25-30 quintal Basmati rice to Middle-east countries every month but now the demand has increased to five to six contained on much higher rates but they are hesitant to make supplies if their consignments would reach destination safely in time or stuck up at a port on the way.