India Rice Export Ban Explained: Every Duty, Ban and Floor Price Since 2022

If you trade or buy Indian rice, you have probably had a deal disrupted by a notification that took effect the day it was published. You are not imagining it. Between 2022 and 2025, India changed its rice export rules again and again, often with no warning.

This post lays out what happened, in order, so the next change is easier to read. I am Vivek Garg, and this is Part 9 of our Rice Series.

Why India Restricts Rice Exports

Rice feeds India first. When the government worries about domestic supply or prices, export rules are the brake.

The stated reasons changed by year. In September 2022, kharif paddy sowing was down 5.62% and wheat exports were already restricted. The July 2023 notification cited domestic availability and stable prices. Reports on the March 2025 reopening noted ample stock in government warehouses.

The tools were three: outright bans, export duties, and minimum export prices (MEP), a floor below which you cannot sell. Quotas did not feature in the measures covered here.

The Timeline

September 2022: broken rice banned, 20% duty added

On 8 September 2022, DGFT moved broken rice from "free" to "prohibited". From 9 September, a 20% export duty also applied to non-basmati rice other than parboiled. Cargo already loading or registered with customs had a short exemption window, 9 to 15 September.

July 2023: non-basmati white rice banned

DGFT Notification 20/2023, dated 20 July 2023, prohibited non-basmati white rice (HS 1006 30 90) with immediate effect. Parboiled and basmati were unchanged at that point.

It was a big cut. White rice and broken rice together made up nearly 45% of India's rice exports in calendar 2022, per USDA.

August to October 2023: parboiled duty and basmati floor price

On 25 August 2023, a 20% export duty on non-basmati parboiled rice took effect. Within days, a $1,200 per tonne floor price for basmati was reported. On 26 October 2023, it was cut to $950.

September and October 2024: the easing

• 13 September: the basmati floor price was removed.
• 27 September: the duty on non-basmati white rice was removed, and the parboiled duty fell from 20% to 10%.
• 28 September: white rice moved from prohibited to free, with a $490 per tonne floor price.
• October: the parboiled duty went to nil and the $490 floor was lifted.

March 2025: broken rice reopened

DGFT amended broken rice from prohibited to free, with immediate effect. Exporters had pointed to rising inventories. The ban had stood since September 2022.

September 2025: a new gate, not a ban

DGFT Notification 33/2025-26 (24 September 2025) allows non-basmati exports only after contracts are registered with APEDA. The fee is Rs 8 per tonne plus 18% GST, minimum Rs 50. Each certificate covers shipment within 45 days. Part 8 has the steps.

What to Take From This

Three habits would have helped in every episode above:

• Read the notification, not the headline. DGFT and CBIC notifications set the rule and the effective date.
• Know where your cargo stands. The 2022 and 2023 exemptions turned on whether cargo was already loading or lodged with customs.
• Re-check before you quote. In 2023 and 2024, duties and floor prices moved within days of each other.

This is history up to the dates cited. Check the current DGFT notification before you price.