Indian basmati held up at ports and in transit as Iran war halts new deals - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirgFBVV95cUxOSjdBcnpIcVNUNVFBRThBV1VIU0JjMUhQMTVLS3JlY0p6aVBnTWxrTHE1Y1VISEl3SkdCRGtZUnZsZHBLejZiRGdEV0lPY29xeVliUklkS20tWmp0UTl2QnRWWEI1Zjl2RG1KMVd5OVRPd0lMU3l4SUszT2Y2S0RDRS1hZVlFVzlmVG9wa002N0RCR2poZ3d0LWVtWDExTU0tTjRUdWNnVDhOZTBCdWc?oc=5" target="_blank">Indian basmati held up at ports and in transit as Iran war halts new deals</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

The All India Rice Exporters’ Association reported that about 400,000 metric tons of Indian basmati rice are backed up at ports and in transit due to disrupted shipping routes in the Middle East following recent conflicts.

The Indian Rice Exporters Federation advised exporters to avoid new 'cost, insurance and freight' commitments to Iran and Gulf destinations due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have led to halted shipments and rising freight rates.

Rice exporters in Haryana are facing shipment delays and payment disruptions after US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Basmati prices have fallen Rs 4–5 per kg as cargo via Bandar Abbas remains stuck. Iran is India’s second-largest basmati market.

Basmati rice exporters will meet officials of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) this week to assess the fallout of escalating tensions in West Asia, as shipping disruptions and rising freight and insurance costs threaten India’s nearly $6 billion basmati trade in FY25.

An association of Indian rice exporters advised its members to avoid new 'cost, insurance and freight' commitments to Iran and Gulf destinations, amid deteriorating geopolitical situation in West Asia and possible restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.