India’s Protectionist Moves Spark Concern Rice May Be Next

• India’s Protectionist Moves Spark Concern Rice May Be Next
  by Pratik Parija, Vrishti Beniwal, and Shruti Srivastava, https://www.bloomberg.com/
  * Any restrictions on rice may exacerbate global hunger crisis
  * India is world’s top rice shipper, accounting for 40% of trade
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  Rice may be India’s next food protectionism target after it restricted wheat and sugar exports, analysts say, a move that could have a devastating impact on global food security as it’s an important staple.
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  India’s curbs on wheat and sugar exports sent shock waves through global markets as it marked an escalation in food protectionism that’s seen countries choke off flows of locally-grown supplies to the world. A similar move on rice by the No. 1 exporter at a time when crops like wheat and corn are soaring would threaten to plunge millions more into hunger and boost inflation risks.
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  “The government has already imposed restrictions on wheat exports; it’s a matter of time when restrictions on rice exports might be considered,” said Radhika Piplani, an economist at Yes Bank Ltd. The challenge will be to see if such curbs will lower food prices and within what time frame, she added. 
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