Ban on Rice Import From India to Disrupt Local Market: Officials Warn

The government’s recent decision to ban rice imports from India could result in a shortage of the staple grain in the domestic market, says Salar Saket, the deputy head of Rice Importers Association of Iran.
“Officials have told us that imbalance in bilateral trade is the reason behind this measure. Even if that is the case, financial restrictions caused by sanctions, as well as the fact that shipping lines do not support new routes, replacing other countries [with India] is impossible in the short run,” Saket was quoted as saying by IRNA.  
According to the official, the ban had to be imposed before the domestic harvest season and the beginning of foreign purchases.