Panic Buying Rush for Rice in US as India Bans Non-Basmati Rice Export

Following India’s recent ban on the export of non-Basmati rice export; panic buying, hoarding, and price rise of rice have engulfed most parts of the United States.

India is a major rice exporter of rice. People in Washington claim, the price of rice varieties like Sona Massori has tripled.

Mostly the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are involved in panic buying and hoarding of non-Basmati rice in the US as it is the basic cereal of Indians.

Videos circulating on social media show people rushing to grab the last remaining non-Basmati rice bags at departmental stores.

Those who call Indian Christians ‘Rice Bag Converts’ are rioting to hoard rice bags in Texas! pic.twitter.com/r8df7oylHN

— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) July 26, 2023

India has imposed an export ban to check rise in the price of rice in India. Now its effect is being felt in far-off places like America.  But premium-grade Basmati rice is allowed to be exported out of India.

Shortage and panic buying have led to price gouging by wholesalers and rice companies in the US.