India to Mandate Daily Records for Food Businesses
India's food regulator, FSSAI, is set to mandate daily record-keeping for all food businesses, a move that signals a broader trend in Asia-Pacific toward stricter traceability. The new compliance burden will require daily documentation of sourcing, processing, and safety controls. The regulation is expected to pressure smaller enterprises and favor larger exporters with robust digital traceability systems.
The proposed FSSAI mandate is part of a broader amendment to the Food Safety and Standards Regulations of 2011 and has been notified to the World Trade Organization. This move aligns with a larger trend across the Asia-Pacific region, where governments in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are also implementing stricter track and trace regulations to enhance supply chain transparency and combat counterfeit products. For rice exporters, the competitive landscape is shifting significantly. India, the world's largest rice exporter, lifted its ban on non-basmati white rice exports in late 2024 and subsequently removed most export duties. This policy change is expected to flood the global market, with Indian rice exports projected to rise to between 22 and 30 million metric tons in the 2025-2026 marketing year, putting downward pressure on global prices. Vietnam, a key competitor, anticipates a challenging 2025, with both export volume and prices likely to decrease from the record highs of 2024 due to this increased competition from India. Vietnamese exporters are now looking to focus more on high-quality, specialty rice varieties to maintain market position as they face a potential drop in demand from major importers like the Philippines. The Thai baht is forecast to experience some fluctuations against the euro. While there are varying predictions, the general trend suggests a slight weakening or volatility in the near term. Historical data shows the THB/EUR rate moving between approximately 0.0261 and 0.0275 in late 2025 and early 2026. Growth in the European rice market, valued at over USD 7.8 billion in 2025, is driven by demand for premium, specialty, and organic varieties. The market is projected to reach over USD 9 billion by 2031, with Germany standing out as the largest market for organic food in Europe. This trend presents a key opportunity for premium Thai rice brands. To capitalize on this, sustainable sourcing certifications are becoming critical for market access and commanding higher margins. The Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) offers a globally recognized standard, and SRP-verified products are now available in over 20 European countries. Achieving SRP verification can boost farmer incomes by 10-20% and provides buyers with assurance of sustainable practices and a transparent supply chain.
