The government has expanded the export window for aromatic rice by six months to December 31 to help retain the share of local brands in foreign markets.

The commerce ministry yesterday issued a notice, about two months after the original timeframe ended on June 30.

Some exporters sought more time. The government should have increased the validity by a full year to June 2016, to strengthen exports, said Khurshid Ahmad Farhad, assistant general manager for export at Square Food and Beverage.

On June 17 last year, the government extended the time for aromatic rice exports for fiscal 2014-15 but maintained the ban on exports of parboiled rice to keep local prices stable.

A number of exporters had approached the commerce ministry to allow exports of scented rice as the grain is quite popular among Bangladeshis and other South Asians living in Europe, North America, Australia and the Middle East.

The delay in the announcement forced some exporters to either cancel orders or hold off shipments, which let competition from India and Pakistan become stronger against Bangladeshi brands, especially in the first two months of this fiscal year, traders said.  

Exports of aromatic rice resumed in mid-2012 after a break of three years due to an export ban imposed on all kinds of rice in November 2008.

Overseas sales of scented rice helped Bangladesh earn some $7.34 million last fiscal year, up 51 percent year-on-year, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau.