India allows rice exports to Singapore: ministry

"Formal orders in this regard will be issued shortly," a spokesperson for the ministry said in a statement.

Last month, India surprised buyers by imposing a ban on exports of widely consumed non-basmati white rice, following a ban on broken rice exports last year.

India, which is scrambling to rein in inflation ahead of state elections later this year, on Friday also expanded subsidies on rice exports with a 20% duty on parboiled rice effective until Oct. 15.

India accounts for more than 40% of world rice exports, and low inventories with other exporters mean any cut in shipments could further inflate food prices already driven up by Russia's attacks in Ukraine last year and erratic weather.