Iran's government on Wednesday ended its seasonal import ban on rice which was imposed to support local prices during the harvest season, state news agency IRNA reported.
Rice imports will be permitted until July 22, 2018, IRNA said, citing the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade.
Since March 21 Iran has imported more than one million tonnes of rice but this will only get customs clearance when the harvest time is over, IRNA said, quoting the Customs Administration.
"The decision will be welcomed by rice exporters in Pakistan, India and Thailand as rising supplies need as many outlets as possible," one European rice trader said. "There is often concern the seasonal ban might be extended."
(Reporting By Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; additional reporting by Michael Hogan in Hamburg; writing by Maha El Dahan; editing by Jason Neely) ((Maha.Dahan@thomsonreuters.com; + 9712 4082101; Reuters Messaging: maha.dahan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Rice imports will be permitted until July 22, 2018, IRNA said, citing the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade.
Since March 21 Iran has imported more than one million tonnes of rice but this will only get customs clearance when the harvest time is over, IRNA said, quoting the Customs Administration.
"The decision will be welcomed by rice exporters in Pakistan, India and Thailand as rising supplies need as many outlets as possible," one European rice trader said. "There is often concern the seasonal ban might be extended."
(Reporting By Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; additional reporting by Michael Hogan in Hamburg; writing by Maha El Dahan; editing by Jason Neely) ((Maha.Dahan@thomsonreuters.com; + 9712 4082101; Reuters Messaging: maha.dahan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
