The Russian government will extend the ban on rice and paddy exports until June 30, 2025, except for seed exports, the government's press service said in a Dec. 24 release.

The message said, “Russia extends the temporary ban on rice and paddy exports, the relevant resolution has been signed. The restrictions will be effective until June 30, 2025,” the source said. The decision is aimed at maintaining the stability of the domestic market for the aforementioned products.”

The news service noted that there are some exceptions to the ban on rice and paddy exports: it does not apply to the Eurasian Economic Union member states, as well as to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Rice and paddy can also be exported abroad for humanitarian aid or transported within the framework of international transit transshipment,” the source said. In addition, the temporary ban does not include rice seeds, taking into account the needs of partner countries for seed supplies.”

The temporary restriction on rice and paddy exports was implemented in 2022 and subsequently extended until December 31, 2024 due to flooding of farmland in Russia's Krasnodar Krai (Russia's main rice-producing region, which accounts for more than 60% of total production).