{
  "id": 7300387,
  "title": "Rice gets pricier in India as US-Iran war sends countries scrambling to secure food supplies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/rice-gets-pricier-in-india-as-us-iran-war-sends-countries-scrambling",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T10:37:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times - Economy",
    "slug": "the-economic-times-economy",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/rice-gets-pricier-in-india-as-us-iran-war-sends-countries-scrambling-to-secure-food-supplies/articleshow/134239149.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rice prices in India are on the rise as the US-Iran conflict prompts nations to secure food supplies, driving up global demand. Basmati rice, a popular staple, has seen prices climb 15-20% in the first quarter of FY27 compared to the previous year, while non-basmati varieties have increased by 20-25%, due to heightened overseas demand and below-average rain in southern India. Prices are expected to remain high until the new harvest arrives in October-November, leaving consumers with limited relief. Suraj Agarwal, CEO of RiceVilla group, noted that countries worldwide are rushing to secure food supplies, with Gulf nations purchasing significant quantities of Indian rice. The surge in demand has pushed basmati rice to approximately Rs 100 per kg, up from Rs 85 per kg a year earlier, and non-basmati varieties to Rs 63-64 per kg. Agarwal believes prices are unlikely to decrease soon due to the ongoing US-Iran truce talks and the delayed arrival of the kharif crop, which is about two to three months away. India continues to export strong support to basmati prices, with India shipping a record 6.52 million tonnes in the previous fiscal year to 154 countries. Saudi Arabia remains the largest buyer, followed by high inquiries from West Asia. However, shipping and payment disruptions in the Gulf corridor have led to a backlog, maintaining strong buying interest. The domestic market is also facing pressure from government procurement for public distribution and uneven rainfall in rice-producing states. With the next kharif crop still weeks away, traders anticipate elevated prices in the near term. Any price correction may depend on the timely arrival of the fresh crop, improved rainfall, and reduced overseas buying. Until then, consumers will continue to face higher rice prices.",
  "summary": "Rice is getting costlier in India as the US-Iran war drives countries to secure food supplies and boosts overseas demand. Basmati prices have risen 15-20% and non-basmati varieties 20-25%, with traders expecting little relief until the new crop arrives in October-November.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}