Exporters tell CNBC-TV18 that the timing could not have been worse for Indian exporters, as this is the peak season for shipments to the Gulf region due to Ramadan, when there’s a sharp rise in demand.

By Santia Gora  

The fast-escalating war in the Gulf region has hit Indian rice exporters in peak season, with large quantities of consignments stuck at ports, raising concerns of additional storage and handling costs.

As much as 1.5-2 lakh tonnes of Basmati rice remain stuck at various ports across India with around 2 lakh tonnes in transit, Satish Goyal, President of the All India Rice Exporters Association, told CNBC-TV18.

“Exporters are facing mounting costs due to the delay. The association has written to the Commerce Ministry and the Finance Ministry seeking relief from the additional expenses being incurred to park and plug in containers at ports. Exporters have also requested the government to direct ports not to levy extra charges, given the exceptional circumstances,” Goyal added.

Exporters tell CNBC-TV18 that the timing could not have been worse for Indian exporters, as this is the peak season for shipments to the Gulf region due to Ramadan, when there’s a sharp rise in demand.

He added that the industry body has further urged the government to address the matter with authorities in other countries and at foreign ports where Indian containers are in transit with requests that no additional charges be imposed.

All India Rice Exporters Association claims that the association will meet with APEDA and Commerce Ministry officials on Tuesday noon to discuss the issue.

India exports around 4 million tonnes of Basmati rice annually to the entire Gulf region, according to the association. Between April 2024 and January 2025, India exported 3.61 million tonnes to the Gulf. In the corresponding period of April 2025 to January 2026, exports stood at 3.75 million tonnes. For February 2026, estimates suggest that total exports to the Gulf may touch around 4 million tonnes, although the final data is yet to be released.

(Edited by: Tenzin Norzom)

Published Date: March 3, 2026