[The Straits Times] Singapore, importers working to boost imports after Indian export ban on non-basmati rice: SFA

출처 : The Straits times

Rice importers and the Singapore authorities are working together closely to boost imports of different types of rice from a range of countries after India’s ban on the export of non-basmati white rice.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA), in response to queries on Friday, said that Singapore has contacted the Indian authorities to seek an exemption from the ban.

In 2022, India accounted for about 40 per cent of Singapore’s rice imports. The import of non-basmati rice from India – the only type affected by the ban – makes up about 17 per cent of the rice imported into Singapore, he added. 

The SFA spokesman said rice importers in Singapore are required to hold a buffer inventory equivalent to twice their monthly imports under the Rice Stockpile Scheme, which helps to ensure adequate supply of rice in the market. He said: “We review the inventory buffers regularly and stand ready to work closely with the industry if any adjustments are needed. “Through these forward-looking strategies/policies, our overall supply of rice is currently stable and there is enough rice for everyone if everyone buys just what we need.”.“Singapore has a multi-pronged strategy of import diversification and stockpiling to manage supply chain disruptions to rice imports. We diversify and import rice from over 30 countries.” Consumers in Singapore, he added, can expect supply disruption from time to time. The Government will do what it can to minimise the impact but it will not be able to completely mitigate disruptions to food supply.

The DFI Retail Group, which has about 10,200 outlets in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, in an e-mail reply, said the demand for rice from India has remained stable, except for a small increase last week after news of India’s ban on non-basmati white rice exports was announced.