The Indian Basmati rice industry, a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural exports, is facing a massive liquidity crunch. Since early January 2026, consignments worth an estimated ₹2,000 crore have been stuck at international ports. A combination of the Iranian Rial’s freefall, nationwide civil unrest in Iran, and new aggressive trade stances from the United States has brought shipments to a grinding halt.
Why are the Shipments Stuck?
The crisis is multi-layered, affecting both the financial and logistical aspects of trade:
- Currency Collapse: The Iranian Rial has plummeted to record lows, reportedly crossing 1.5 lakh Rial per US Dollar (up from 90,000 recently). This has made imports prohibitively expensive for Iranian buyers.
- Withdrawal of Subsidies: Historically, the Iranian government provided a preferential exchange rate (approx. 28,500 Rial/USD) for essential food imports. This subsidy has been withdrawn, leaving importers unable to honor existing contracts.
- The “Trump Tariff” Threat: On January 12, 2026, the US administration announced a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran.11 This has spooked global banks and insurers, making it nearly impossible to process payments for even “humanitarian” food trade.
- Internal Unrest: Ongoing civil protests in Iran have led to internet shutdowns and disrupted administrative channels, making communication between Indian exporters and Iranian distributors non-existent.
Impact on Indian Farmers and Millers
The disruption is being felt most acutely in the “Basmati Belt” of Punjab and Haryana, which accounts for nearly 40% of India’s Basmati production.
- Price Drop: In domestic mandis, prices of popular varieties like 1121, 1509, and 1718 have already dropped by ₹4–₹5 per kg in just one week.
- Inventory Backlog: With Iran being India’s second-largest Basmati buyer (importing ~12 lakh tonnes annually), the sudden halt has led to a massive buildup of unsold stock.
- Stock Market Decline: Shares of major rice exporters like LT Foods (Daawat), KRBL (India Gate), and Kohinoor Foods saw a decline of up to 3.5% on January 12 as investors reacted to the export uncertainty.
Export Statistics at a Glance (April–Nov 2025)
| Metric | Details |
| Total Export Volume to Iran | 5.99 Lakh Metric Tonnes |
| Total Export Value | ~$468 Million (₹3,900 Cr approx.) |
| Value of Currently Stranded Goods | ₹2,000 Crore |
| Primary Varieties Affected | 1509, 1718, and 1121 Sela |
The Industry Response
The Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) has issued an advisory to all members to exercise extreme caution.
“Iran has been a pillar market, but the current internal turmoil and payment delays have dented buyer confidence. We are urging exporters to reassess risks and move toward secured payment mechanisms or diversify into alternative markets in West Asia and Europe.” — Prem Garg, National President, IREF.
Conclusion
The ₹2,000 crore logjam at Kandla and Mundra ports represents a critical test for India’s trade diplomacy. Without a dedicated payment mechanism (similar to the previous Rupee-Rial arrangement) or a clarification on US sanctions, the Indian rice industry could face a significant decline in export revenue for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
