Government Extends Export Ban on De-Oiled Rice Bran to Stabilise Domestic Feed Prices

The government has prolonged the restriction on exporting de-oiled rice bran until 30th September 2025, as stated in an official notification. This product is crucial for making cattle and poultry feed. Initially banned in July 2023, the prohibition has been extended multiple times since then. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) confirmed this extension in their recent announcement.

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Experts suggest that the rising cost of feed contributes significantly to the increasing milk prices in India. By restricting exports, the government aims to boost domestic availability, potentially stabilising prices. Approximately 25% of cattle feed comprises rice bran extraction, highlighting its importance in the industry.

Export Norms and Regulations

In a different notice, the DGFT updated the wastage permissible and standard input-output norms concerning jewellery and article exports. These norms were last revised in November of the previous year. Wastage norms specify how much gold or silver can be lost during jewellery manufacturing for export purposes.

Standard input-output norms (SION) outline the quantity of inputs needed to produce a unit of output for export. These rules apply to various products, including electronics, engineering goods, chemicals, food items like fish and marine products, handicrafts, plastics, and leather goods.

For jewellery manufacturing intended for export, precious metals are imported without duty. The exported weight must match the duty-free imported metal minus any wastage during production. Strict adherence to wastage norms ensures that duty-free metals do not enter the domestic market.

The government's decision to extend the ban on de-oiled rice bran exports reflects its commitment to managing domestic supply and price stability. By revising export norms for jewellery and other products, it aims to maintain a balance between supporting local industries and regulating international trade practices.