India, April 24 -- The country's rice exports dipped 7.5 per cent to $11.53 billion in 2025-26 due to a contraction in shipments to major destinations, including the Middle East countries, according to the commerce ministry data.

The exports in March declined 15.36 per cent to $997.53 million.

Shipments to the Middle East region nations, including Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, have been impacted due to the war between US-Israel and Iran.

Iran is India's top basmati rice export destination, but the shipments are witnessing growing stress on order flows, payment cycles, and ship schedules due to the prevailing instability.

As per reports, importers have conveyed their inability to honour existing commitments and remit payments to In...