India's 2005 rice exports are likely to exceed four million tonnes, an executive from the India Rice Exporters Association said. Karan Chanana, secretary-general of the association, told Reuters India had shipped close to 3 million tonnes by the end of September.
Of the 2005 total about 1.1 million tonnes should be fragrant Basmati rice.
Chanana, talking on the sidelines of am industry conference, said India, like Pakistan, expected to start exporting Basmati rice to China next year, with the initial market estimated at about 50,000 tonnes.
China, a net exporter of rice so far, is set to import more rice in the next few years as higher incomes allow consumers to try out new rice varieties harvested in other countries.
Asked about Indonesia, one of Asia's top rice importers and due to issue import permits for 250,000 tonnes this month, Chanana said: "If that happens, it's a good opportunity for India.
"If that happens, prices will go up, though temporarily."
Vietnam, the world's number two rice exporter, has stopped offering rice for export following damage from typhoon Damrey, while prices from Thailand, the world's top exporter, are seen too high compared with rivals from India or Pakistan at present.
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