Topic
apeda
Trade Two Rice Export Bodies Seek Review of Apeda Move to Appoint New Law Firm for Basmati GI, IPR Cases
Two Indian rice exporters' associations, AIREA and BRMEA, have asked the Commerce Ministry to review Apeda's decision to appoint a new law firm to handle global Basmati GI and IPR cases, alleging arbitrary selection and conflict of interest. The law firm had represented petitioners seeking to expand the Basmati GI area to include Madhya Pradesh, a move Apeda historically opposed.
Trade APEDA to Invest Non-Basmati Rice Development Fund in Fixed Deposits Beyond ₹1 Crore
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has decided to invest all amounts above ₹1 crore from the Non-Basmati Rice Development Fund (NBDF) into term deposits. Between September 2025 and April 2026, ₹9.66 crore was collected from exporters at a fee of ₹9.44 per tonne. The move aims to build a corpus, though some exporters criticise keeping funds idle.
Trade APEDA Releases SOP for Rice Exports to China After GMO Rejections
APEDA released a standard operating procedure (SOP) for rice exports to China following China's rejection of non-basmati consignments over alleged GMO contamination. The SOP, effective June 9, mandates testing by recognized labs and registration with DPPQS and GACC. India's non-basmati rice exports to China rose to 315,193 tonnes in 2025-26.