Iran, India’s largest market for basmati, has reinstated the ban on rice imports, delaying the shipments from India. The country had lifted the ban on Nov 22, but immediately re-imposed the curbs. There is no certainty on the when the ban will be lifted again. Iran bans rice imports every year during Jun-Nov to ensure fair returns for its farmers during their harvesting period. This year, it has extended the ban to prevent oversupply in its domestic market as around 100,000 tn of imported rice is already stocked at Iranian ports. Despite the ban, Indian traders have been in anticipatory talks with Iranian buyers and have made deals to export nearly 100,000 tn of basmati when the ban is lifted