(MENAFN- KNN India)
SEA Opposes Govt's Decisions To Ban De-Oiled Rice Bran Exports New Delhi, Aug 3 (KNN)
The Solvent Extractors' Association (SEA) of India are unhappy with the government's decision to impose a ban on de-oiled rice bran.
The association pointed out that the ban would not help contain rising milk prices and that it would hurt paddy growers of West Bengal, a significant producer of rice bran.
Ajay Jhunjhunwala, President of the Solvent Extractors' Association (SEA), said, "the ban could have far-reaching negative consequences for multiple sectors, and we urgently request a re-evaluation of this policy."
“India has positioned itself as a reliable supplier in the international market, and this decision will affect India's export business,” he said, adding that "an abrupt change in export policy risks damaging this hard-earned market standing."
SEA's president pointed out that the government believes that rising fodder prices (with DORB being a major component) are a major reason behind the rising prices of milk and milk products.
"However, we respectfully disagree with this notion. The cattle feed would experience only a marginal decrease in cost even if the price of de-oiled rice bran is reduced by 10 per cent. The impact on milk prices would consequently be minimal, likely not exceeding a 1 per cent reduction,” argued Jhunjhunwala.
De-oiled Rice Bran (DORB) is derived when crude oil is extracted from rice bran. DORB is commonly used to produce animal nutrition products catering to cattle, poultry, horse, pet care, aquaculture (aquafeed), and swine industries.
India exports DORB to Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh and other Asian countries. The country exports less than 10 per cent of the total production of DORB.
West Bengal is a major producer of DORB but its
cattle feed industry remains underdeveloped. There is
limited demand for rice bran extraction in Eastern India,
the industry body mentioned.
“If exports are halted, Rice Bran processors in Eastern India will face the prospect of shutting down their operations, adversely impacting the rice milling industry and reducing Rice Bran Oil production,” he added.
India imposed a ban on DORB exports on July 28, effective until November 30, 2023.
(KNN Bureau)