Relation between India and China have not been amiable this year. In spite of that both countries re-started their rice-trade operations recently.
Reuters India reported that China, the world’s biggest rice importer has resumed importing rice from India after a long hiatus of at-least thirty years. Taking into consideration about their decrease in supplies and the discount offered by India, China has started importing Indian rice.
For thirty years, China avoided purchasing India’s rice, and stated quality as the reason. This new development comes at a times when it was least expected. Soldiers of India-China clashed at the disputed border regions in June 2020, and the tension prevailed despite Covid-19 scenario. India banned Chinese apps and caused fresh tensions.
Reuters reported B.V. Krishna Rao, president of the Rice Exporters Association stating “for the first time China has made rice purchases. They may increase buying next year after seeing the quality of Indian crop,”
The news agency also reported Industry officials saying that Indian traders have contracted to export 100,000 tonnes of broken rice for Dec-February shipments at around $300 per tonne.