According to the French rice millers' union (SRF), many rice supply difficulties could arise as early as next February, when the new harvest arrives, reports BFM Business.
Pakistan and India, the two main producers of basmati rice in the world, have indeed experienced significant climatic difficulties in recent months, which has had a significant impact on the rice fields.
Heavy rains have thus succeeded strong heat, leading to the destruction of at least nearly 250,000 tonnes of rice and many infrastructures necessary for its transport.
Under these conditions, the two countries should limit their exports to "favor their population", as assured Thierry Liévin, president of the SRF.
India has already banned the export of broken rice used in agriculture and introduced 20% customs duties for white rice and brown rice.
Other rice concerned
Parboiled rice should also see its production decline due to the high energy costs required to carry out this post-harvest treatment of the product.
Throughout Europe, "water has been lacking throughout the vegetative cycle of rice" added the SRF, which should reduce production in the area by 20 to 25%, including French production (50,000 tonnes) which generally supplies 20% of national needs.
“If there are no complete disruptions, there will at least be major supply disruptions,” summarized Thierry Liévin.
Beyond the risk of shortage, the price of all types of rice should increase again, due in particular to the parallel increase in the prices of corn and wheat and the strengthening of the dollar against other currencies which is penalizing imports in euros.
According to INSEE, the price of rice had increased by 12% in September compared to last year.
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