Though basmati rice enjoys a premium place in global markets, several countries are creating barriers denying consumers the taste and fragrance of the Indian rice.
“Basmati is a premium product and there is no doubt that in some markets it is being singled out quite precisely because there is a market for it...,” the Commerce Secretary, Mr Rahul Khullar, said inaugurating an ‘International Chef Conference' here.
While Mr Khullar did not specify markets where Indian Basmati rice is facing the barriers such as high tariff and stringent sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) standards.
According to Mr Vijay Setia, President of the All-India Rice Exporters Association, Indian Basmati rice faces duty barriers in the European Union countries. In China, there is an issue of pesticide residual.