MUMBAI, July 31 (Reuters) - Indian rice exporters have been receiving requests from buyers to advance shipments of basmati rice after New Delhi banned exports of non-basmati white rice to dampen local prices, industry officials told Reuters. "Buyers are requesting early shipments because they fear that the government might put restrictions on exports of basmati rice as well," said Atul Garg, managing director at GRM Overseas (GRMO.NS), a leading exporter of basmati rice. Non-basmati white rice, which India has banned for export, is mainly purchased by Senegal, Benin, Togo, Bangladesh, and Cote d'Ivoire. India never banned exports of basmati rice in the past but did impose export taxes in 2008. But basmati rice growing areas have increased in 2023 and production is likely to be higher than last year, said Vijay Setia, an exporter.

---

Persons: Atul Garg, Vijay Setia, Setia, Rajendra Jadhav, Christina Fincher Organizations: Reuters, GRM Overseas, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, Delhi, India, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, United States, Senegal, Benin, Togo, Bangladesh, Cote d'Ivoire, New, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh