According to the president of the SRF, Thierry Lievin, supply difficulties could arise “from February/March, when the new harvests arrive”. “If there are no complete disruptions, there will at least be severe supply disruptions,” he warns. on BFMTV. If the shortage is ruled out, some shelves are likely to be very empty in the spring of 2023.
The main producers and exporters of basmati rice in the world, India and Pakistan, have been hit by heat waves and torrential rains which have caused flooding and major damage to crops. At least 250,000 tonnes of rice and transport infrastructure were destroyed during these climatic episodes. India and Pakistan have thus decided to reduce their exports to favor their population.
Price increase
And if Europe produces less than 3 million tons of rice per year, crops have not been spared by climatic hazards, such as drought. “There was a lack of water throughout the vegetative cycle of rice in all European countries (Italy, Spain, Greece). We expect a decrease in yields of 20 to 25% on community production,” says the Syndicat de la rizerie française.