Mauritius Seeks Long-Term Rice Supply Agreement with India to Enhance Food Security
Mauritius, which imports 50,000-60,000 tonnes of rice annually, aims to secure a long-term rice supply agreement with India to stabilize imports and benefit from government-to-government deals. The island currently purchases rice mostly through open tenders but faces competition from Pakistani exporters when India limits exports. A long-term pact could help stabilize prices and enable strategic stockpiling for its population of 1.3 million.
Mauritius imports about 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes of rice annually, procuring 250 tonnes of Basmati and 8,000 tonnes of non-Basmati rice quarterly through open global tenders to meet government demand, amounting to roughly 33,000 tonnes per year. Despite a traditional close relationship with India and several bilateral agreements, there is no existing long-term rice supply contract. During periods when India imposed export restrictions on non-Basmati rice, Pakistan filled the gap, and now Pakistani exporters aim to maintain market share. Mauritius still receives some rice from India through diplomatic channels. Indian exporters prefer open tenders to avoid controversies, though government-to-government deals are made when choices are limited. Private traders also import quantities comparable to government imports. According to USDA and APEDA data, Mauritius' rice imports fluctuate yearly, with about 42,000 tonnes sourced from India in 2024-25, predominantly Basmati rice. The State Trading Corporation of Mauritius (STC) chairman indicated that a long-term pact could allow fixed-quantity purchases at prices lower than the open market by bypassing intermediaries, potentially supporting strategic rice stockpiling. This is especially important as Mauritius has a longstanding subsidy program to make rice affordable for its 1.3 million citizens. Negotiations for such an agreement with India are ongoing to strengthen food security and stabilize rice imports.
