Basmati price rise due to demand surge, unrelated to India-Pakistan tensions: Exporters body

The current uptick in Basmati rice costs is pushed by elevated worldwide demand and never linked to geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, in accordance to the All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA).AIREA President Satish Goel clarified that the export costs of Basmati varieties 1509 and 1718 have seen a slight rise since March due to greater demand from nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq. “The price movement is demand-driven. There is no disruption in trade due to India-Pakistan tensions,” Goel informed information company PTI.He emphasised that export operations proceed with out interruption and all orders are being fulfilled easily.Backing this view, former AIREA president Vijay Sethia famous that the costs of the 1509 selection, which peaked at Rs 62 per kg in September 2024, declined following a bumper harvest. A major arrival of paddy in key producing areas had pushed costs down to Rs 52 per kg by February.However, rising demand in March nudged costs up to Rs 58 per kg, nonetheless under their September highs. “The current rise is purely market-driven and has no correlation with the political situation,” Sethia added.India exported roughly 6 million tonnes of Basmati rice in FY 2024–25, whereas Pakistan accounted for round 1 million tonnes.