Rice is a fundamental staple in South Asian diets — a demographic that makes up 7.1 per cent of Canada or over 2.5 million people, according to the 2021 census. Within South Indian communities, rice forms the basis of popular breakfast dishes like Idli, a steamed rice cake, and Dosa, a savoury rice crepe
The news of the Indian government banning non-Basmati rice exports has awakened many Indians and South Asians in Canada. The export ban comes 10 months after India added 20 per cent duties on rice exports, making it even more expensive, reported New Canadian Media.
Rice is a fundamental staple in South Asian diets — a demographic that makes up 7.1 per cent of Canada or over 2.5 million people, according to the 2021 census. Within South Indian communities, rice forms the basis of popular breakfast dishes like Idli, a steamed rice cake, and Dosa, a savoury rice crepe.
Whatsapp groups are abuzz with questions about where to find substitutes that come close to the taste and texture of the type of rice they are accustomed to.
Iqbal Halal Foods, a prominent Indian grocery store in Toronto, witnessed a surge in Indian customers flocking to their store last Friday to purchase non-Basmati rice. And, in response to the high demand, the store has implemented a restriction, allowing each family to buy just one bag of rice. Panchvati Supermarket, another Indian retail grocery chain in Ontario, has similar restrictions. Online and offline, stores are starting to implement these rationing steps.
Canada relies on rice imports since the grain is not cultivated locally. India, being the world’s leading rice exporter, stands as the third-largest rice-importing country for Canada, according to Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), an online data visualization and distribution platform
According to Sriram Ramamurthy, the business development manager overseeing rice imports at Iqbal’s grocery, the rice ban has a major impact on their operations. The store is known for importing around 40 different brands of rice and non-Basmati varieties make up approximately 40 per cent of their rice imports. In response to the ban, the store has already been forced to raise the price of a 10-pound bag from $15 to $20.
“Our efforts to finalize a rice import deal which was underway has been completely halted by the ban,” Ramamurthy said. The most popular non-Basmati rice varieties at Iqbal Halal Foods include Sona Masoori, Surti Kollam, Ponni, Parmal and Seeraga Samba rice.
Canada relies on rice imports since the grain is not cultivated locally. India, being the world’s leading rice exporter, stands as the third-largest rice-importing country for Canada, according to Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), an online data visualization and distribution platform.
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