Centre extends ban on de-oiled rice bran export till September 2025

The Central government on Tuesday, February 4 extended ban on export of de-oiled rice bran till September 30, 2025, under its latest amendment to the export policy. The move comes as part of efforts to regulate domestic supply and ensure availability for the cattle feed industry.

The decision, notified by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) comes as an amendment to the existing export policy under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, according to an official statement.

The revised policy places de-oiled rice bran under the ‘prohibited’ category, covering multiple ITC(HS) codes—2302 40 00, 2306 90 19, 2306 90 29, and 2306 90 90. Previously, it was classified under the ‘free’ export category.

The move follows a series of restrictions imposed over the past year. In March 2024, the government had initially prohibited the export of de-oiled rice bran till July 31. This was later extended in August 2024, with a revised deadline of January 31, 2025. Now, the fresh amendment pushes the ban further till the end of September 2025.

A key ingredient in cattle feed, de-oiled rice bran is crucial for the livestock and dairy industries. Industry insiders note that the prolonged ban is aimed at stabilising domestic prices amid rising costs of feed.

The move also aligns with broader efforts to ensure food security and support the agricultural economy. While exporters may view the restriction as a setback, stakeholders in the dairy and poultry sectors are likely to benefit from the assured domestic supply of the essential feed ingredient.

This article has been republished from The ZeeBiz.