The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has issued a new standard operating procedure (SOP) for rice exports to China, effective June 9, 2026, after China rejected non-basmati consignments over alleged genetically modified organism (GMO) contamination. The trade body is acting to protect its footprint in a lucrative neighboring market that shows strong demand for Indian broken rice, according to a report by businessline.
SOP Details and Compliance Requirements
In a notice on June 8, APEDA general manager Vinita Sudhanshu stated that to ensure compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for rice exports to China, a procedure has been developed for exporters and other stakeholders. The SOP comes into effect for all Registration-cum-Allocation-Certificate (RCAC) applications received by APEDA from June 9 onwards and applies to all rice consignments intended for export to China.
Key requirements under the SOP:
- Export of rice to China is allowed only from rice mills/processing units registered with the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (DPPQS) in accordance with the 2016 Order.
- Indian exporters must either register with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) or source rice only from GACC-registered facilities.
- Exporters must obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by DPPQS prior to export.
- Export consignments can be shipped only after testing by laboratories recognized by APEDA with scope of accreditation for GMO analysis in rice.
- Exporters must apply to recognized laboratories for drawing and testing of samples under a specific format. After sampling, the lot cannot be shifted or relocated.
- Only after sample conformity can the exporter apply for RCAC by submitting the Certificate of Analysis to APEDA.
Trade Impact and Stakeholder Reactions
B V Krishna Rao, President of The Rice Exporters Association, welcomed the SOP but requested that export contracts already concluded and shipments under execution be allowed to continue until July 31 as a transitional arrangement. He suggested the SOP be implemented from August 1 to provide sufficient time to exporters, businessline reported.
India's non-basmati rice exports to China have surged:
| Period | Volume (tonnes) | Value (USD million) | Value (INR crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 315,193 | $103.90 | ₹922.15 |
| 2024-25 | 180,805 | $79.43 | ₹677.87 |
Historical data shows exports were only 567 tonnes in 2019-20 due to China's non-tariff barriers, but surged to 331,571 tonnes in 2020-21 after China removed those restrictions.
Background and Market Diversification
At the meeting of the Non-Basmati Rice Development Fund (NBDF) in May last week, some exporters noted that African countries including Senegal, Burkina Faso, Benin, and Sudan have taken restrictive measures to reduce rice imports, adversely impacting Indian non-basmati rice exports, according to sources.
APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev, addressing the NBDF committee, urged exporters to represent at African trade events independent of APEDA’s participation. He stressed the need to diversify exports toward high-potential markets such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and China, where India’s share has yet to reach its true potential. Dev also said exporters should incentivize farmers to grow varieties demanded in those destinations.
Unrelenting China and GMO Stand
When exporters raised the issue of rejected consignments, Dev stated that a meeting with GACC had been held where APEDA clarified that India is a non-GMO country for rice. India also shared with GACC confirmation by ICAR and GEAC that no GMO rice seeds are available and no commercial cultivation of GM rice has ever been allowed in India. However, industry sources said China did not budge from its stand, prompting India to issue the SOP to ensure uniform GMO testing procedures by all exporters.
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