Mauritius drops Pakistan, turns to India for rice
The island government of Mauritius wants to secure extended supply agreements with India for approximately 33,000 metric tons of rice annually to support its food subsidy program and reduce dependence on Pakistani suppliers, according to Takesh Luckho, chairman of the Mauritius State Trading Corporation. Speaking to reporters at an international grain conference, Luckho explained that Pakistan gained market access after India halted non-basmati rice shipments in 2023 to control domestic pricing, forcing Mauritius to conduct competitive bidding processes.
With export restrictions lifted, the chairman said officials are working to restore traditional supply relationships with India. The nation requires roughly 1,000 tons of basmati varieties and 32,000 tons of non-basmati white rice each year, distributing the latter at reduced cost through social welfare programs. While some government-to-government transactions continued during the ban period, volumes fell short of total needs.
India represents a primary commercial partner for the African island nation, sending pharmaceuticals, grains and automobiles while receiving manufactured items and metal scrap. The 2021 economic partnership agreement marked the first such pact between India and an African country, strengthening investment flows and development cooperation across healthcare, education and infrastructure sectors.
