Amidst the recent surge in domestic rice prices, India’s export business has also seen a boost. Between November 2025 and March 2026, overseas shipments of basmati and non-basmati rice totaled 4.79 million tons. During the same period, prices of several varieties increased in the retail market, with premium basmati rice becoming the most expensive. Meanwhile, NAFED and NCCF are preparing to open 500 new procurement centers across the country to facilitate the sale of pulses to farmers.

Muskan Kumawat

Despite the rise in domestic prices, the export of rice is growing constantly. Exports of basmati and non-basmati rice to 26 major consuming countries have hit their best mark in the past three years in just five months. In terms of the report, total exports of basmati and non-basmati rice from November 2025 to March 2026 were ₹23,476 crore and 4.79 million tonnes.

West Asian crisis has cut the import of rice from the Gulf countries. Nonetheless, the export of rice has not been impacted due to this factor. “As per IREF, exports have gone up by 1.1% in value and 5.6% in quantity as against the average of the corresponding period (Nov-Mar) of last three years,” the report says.

Prices of rice retail have jumped about 15% in the past two-three weeks. Almost all varieties of rice have been costlier by ₹15-20 per kg. The greatest rise is being witnessed in premium basmati rice, which was priced at ₹85 per kg and has now been hiked to ₹110 per kg. Ordinary and Parmal varieties of rice have risen by ₹100 to ₹500 per quintal.

To ensure pulse producers receive a fair price for their produce and avoid sales hassles, the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India Limited will jointly open 500 new centers across the country. These two agencies will directly purchase pulses from farmers at the minimum support price.

According to Deepak Kumar, Managing Director of NAFED, Kharif pulses will soon be available in the market. These centers will procure major pulses such as arhar, gram, and urad, along with arhar. The major pulse-producing states include Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. NAFED will launch a campaign among farmers in approximately 50 districts across the country to register them on the portal.

Published Date: August 27, 2026