Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Indian rice exporters seek Goyal's help over China GMO suspension
Some rice sellers in India sent rice to China, but China said they found something called GMOs in it.
GMOs are special changes made to plants in a lab.
India says it does not allow farmers to grow GM rice at all.
The rice was also tested before it left India and was found to be free of GMOs.
Because of this disagreement, China stopped seven Indian rice companies from selling rice there.
The rice sellers asked an important Indian minister, Piyush Goyal, to help talk to China.
They want both countries to check the rice together using the same tests.
They hope this will fix the problem and let them sell rice to China again.
The rice sellers say this is important for Indian farmers and small businesses.
The Rice Exporters Association of Chhattisgarh (TREACG) urged Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to intervene with Chinese authorities over suspended rice export registrations.
China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) suspended registrations of seven Indian rice-exporting companies over alleged GMO detection in consignments.
ICAR and GEAC have clarified that commercial cultivation of GM rice is not permitted in India.
TREACG proposed a joint scientific and technical review covering sampling procedures, GMO testing methodologies, laboratory protocols and standards.
China rejected three rice consignments from three Indian exporters in March and later suspended their licences, adding four more companies to the list.
- Who
- The Rice Exporters Association of Chhattisgarh (TREACG), Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, China's General Administration of Customs (GACC), and seven Indian rice-exporting companies.
- What
- TREACG sought government intervention to restore the registrations of seven Indian rice exporters suspended by China over alleged GMO contamination.
- When
- The suspension followed rejections beginning in March this year; the article was published on August 17, 2026.
- Where
- India and China.
- Why
- China alleged GMO presence in rice consignments, while India maintains GM rice cultivation is not permitted and the consignments passed non-GMO testing before shipment.
India's position
China's position
GMO presence in rice
India's position
India says commercial cultivation of GM rice is not permitted and the consignments passed prescribed non-GMO testing and certification before shipment.
China's position
China's customs authority reported detection of genetically modified organisms in certain rice consignments, leading to rejections and licence suspensions.
Differing test results
India's position
India says differing GMO test results at destination despite non-GMO certification at origin merit a scientific, transparent and fact-based joint review.
China's position
China's testing at destination found GMO traces, prompting it to suspend registrations and reject additional consignments on the same grounds.
- Affected exporters
- 7 Indian rice-exporting companies
- Suspending authority
- China's General Administration of Customs (GACC)
- Allegation
- GMO presence in certain rice consignments
- Indian bodies clarifying
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
- Requested action
- Joint scientific and technical review of GMO testing methods and standards
- March rejections
- 3 consignments from 3 Indian exporters
- Association
- Rice Exporters Association of Chhattisgarh (TREACG)
- Publication date
- August 17, 2026