India’s rice exports declined by 13 per cent to 2.15 million tonnes in FY2009-10 but in value terms it rose marginally to Rs 11,253 crore, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. 

 The rice exports declined to 2.15 million tonnes in 2009-10 from 2.48 million tonnes in the previous fiscal, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a written reply.

 However, in value terms, the exports increased to Rs 11,253 crore during last fiscal from Rs 11,164 crore in the previous year.

 The government had banned exports of non-basmati rice from April 2008 as part of measures to control inflation. However, it has permitted basmati rice exports.

 Prior to ban, India had exported 6.46 million tonnes of rice worth Rs 11,754 crore in 2007-08 fiscal.

 Asked whether government would consider relaxing ban on non-basmati rice exports, Scindia said: “The Government keeps all options open regarding relaxation in control imposed on rice exports from the country”.

 India’s rice production declined to 89.13 million tonnes in the 2009-10 crop year (July-June) from a record 99.18 million tonnes in the previous year due to a severe drought last year.