Call to Lift Ban on De-Oiled Rice Bran Export

20-Aug-2025 06:10 PM

Mumbai. For the last two years, the government has banned the export of rice bran extraction (de-oiled rice bran or DORB), due to which India is being deprived of the opportunity available in its global export market.

Before the ban came into force in July 2023, 5-6 lakh tonnes of DORB was being exported annually from India and the country was getting good income from it.

Many other Asian countries including Vietnam and Thailand were importing it in large quantities from India. India was considered a permanent and reliable supplier of rice bran extraction in the international market.

But suddenly the central government banned the export of de-oiled rice bran on 28 July 2023. The reason given behind this was that due to export, the price of fodder (animal feed) in the country became very high.

Rice bran extraction is considered an important component of animal feed production. The period of export ban has been extended regularly from time to time since then and has now been extended till 30 September 2025.

Meanwhile, there has been a great production of rice and rice bran in the country and despite the ban on export of rice bran extraction, there has been no significant reduction in the cost and price of animal feed.

But due to a huge increase in supply and availability, the domestic market price of DORB has come down significantly.

The availability of DORB is increasing, due to which the prices of DORB are likely to fall further. In view of the above facts and the sharp fall in prices, the Solvent Extractors Association has urged the government not to extend the ban on the export of DORB beyond 30 September.

Earlier, it was being exported in large quantities from coastal states like West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, which has now stopped.

Millers there are also facing difficulty in recovering its cost. Opening of exports will help millers dispose of their surplus stock and the country will also earn valuable foreign exchange.