Tamil Nadu rice mill owners urge public not to resort to panic buying amid shortage rumours

Tamil Nadu Rice Mill Owners Association functionaries at a press meet in Madurai on Sunday. | Photo Credit: G. MOORTHY

The Tamil Nadu Rice Mill Owners Association has urged the public not to resort to panic buying of rice due to rumours circulating on social media regarding a shortage in the State.

During a press meet held in Madurai on Sunday, association leaders clarified while there had been a reduction in cultivation caused by the Super El Niño effect, the situation is not alarming and adequate reserves remain in stock.

Association president M.R. Dinesh Singh explained that the generally preferred fine-quality rice (sannarisi)—which is minimally cultivated within Tamil Nadu and mostly procured from neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka—has seen lower yields due to changing climatic patterns driven by the El Niño effect.

“It is true that the prices have gone up specifically for the fine rice quality, but other varieties like ‘ganaragam’ remain the same,” he added.

However, Mr. Singh clarified the elevated prices are expected to decrease gradually following positive cultivation outcomes in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as well as the upcoming North-East monsoon.