Rice Imports Banned

The import of rice has been practically banned since early November and no kind of rice can undergo customs clearance, according to the head of Rice Importers Association of Iran.
“Respective officials have cited ‘balancing out bilateral trade’ as the reason for banning rice imports from the countries we normally purchase the grain from,” Karim Akhavan-Akbari was also quoted as saying by the news portal of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.   
His comments came after it was earlier announced that only Indian rice imports were banned.
The official said the government decision would cause shortage in the domestic market, since local production cannot meet domestic rice demand.