India, the world's biggest exporter of rice, is examining whether there is a need to restrict exports of 100 per cent broken rice mainly used for feed purposes, government and industry officials told Reuters on Friday.
The curbs on exports by India could lift rice prices in the world as the south Asian country accounts for more than 40 per cent of global rice shipments.
"We have been discussing whether we need some sort of curbs on 100 per cent broken rice exports," said a senior government official involved in the decision making.
India is more than comfortable in terms of both private and government rice stocks, so there is no point in considering any curb on overall rice exports, said the official, adding "the discussions are confined to broken rice which is primarily used as a feed variety."
India usually exports 5 per cent and 25 per cent broken rice, but in last few months demand for 100 per cent broken rice have risen sharply, especially from drought hit China, exporters said.
"The local cattle feed industry has been demanding to put restriction on the exports of 100 per cent brokens so they can have more supplies," said an exporter based at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.
India banned wheat exports on May 14, just days after New Delhi forecast record shipments of 10 million tonnes this year, as a heatwave hit output and sent domestic prices to record highs.
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