To support the rice industry, the government has removed the minimum export price (MEP) on Basmati rice and reduced the 10% duty on non-Basmati rice exports last month. However, due to high prices of new paddy, milling costs in rice mills across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab have increased significantly, and the arrival of new paddy in the mandis has decreased, leading to a shortage of milling operations. As a result, traders are not actively participating. Meanwhile, there is some risk in exports to Iran, but considering the increased milling costs, there is a gradual possibility of export growth. On the other hand, the arrival of Kharif paddy has increased in Haryana and Punjab, but the quality of rice produced from this paddy is not as good, leading to a higher demand for premium quality rice and further driving up milling costs.