The Indian government will give its highest export allocation of non-basmati white rice to the Philippines.

This came after India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued on 18 October Notification 37-2023, which effectively lifted its ban on overseas shipments of non-basmati white rice, which was imposed in July.

Specifically, India lifted the restrictions on the export of rice to Nepal, Cameroon, Malaysia, Seychelles, Ivory Coast, the Republic of Guinea and the Philippines.

"It is with immense pleasure that we inform you that the highest allocation of rice exports was made to the Philippines," the Embassy of India in Manila said.

"The request was made at the leadership level, and the positive decision reflects the growing confidence in the bilateral relationship," it added.

India will supply the Philippines with 295,000 metric tons of non-basmati white rice. Cameroon will get 190,000 MT; Malaysia 170,000 MT; the Ivory Coast and Republic of Guinea, 142,000 MT each; Nepal 95,000 MT; and Seychelles 800 MT.

India has imposed a 20-percent duty on exports of parboiled rice, which has been partially boiled in the husk.

The Department of Agriculture previously announced it had opened talks on importing rice from Vietnam and India amid the increasing prices of the food staple in the local market last August.