Basmati exports have run into trouble on quality grounds with consignments described as 'filthy' being detained in the United States.
Traders in New Delhi, however, say that needlessly rice of Indian origin is classified differently and made to go through a hindering inspection procedure.
India's basmati exports to the US have fallen this fiscal to 18,285 tonnes in April-October against 19,709 tonnes in the same period last year according to the latest official data.
"Many Indian basmati exporters are on a detention list of the US Food and Drug Administration leading to delay in execution of orders and being put at a disadvantage vis-a-vis Pakistan whose exports are not subjected to such inspection," Ajay Katyal of leading exporter Sunstar Overseas told PTI.
USFDA authorities conceded that 40 consignments of 16 companies had been detained in 1999-2000 alone, 84.62 per cent cases on the grounds of being filthy and containing pesticide, 'heptachlor' and such detention cases come up even now.
They, however, said it cannot be termed as a non-tariff barrier as the detention is due to sub-standard quality of Indian cargoes and around 25 companies which could deliver six consecutive cargoes with no quality problems have been put at an 'inspection-free' list.
Katyal, however, said most exporters are still on the detention list and their consignments are held up despite exporting produce of the "highest quality".
USFDA officials countered that problem is not with "our standards but with your produce" if a company cannot get six consignments cleared in a row. US had issued a rice-import alert in 1988 due to 'filthy' basmati consignments emanating from India.
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