FACTBOX: Countries curb food exports to secure supplies

PARIS - Faced with surging commodities prices, an increasing number of countries have imposed curbs on food exports in a bid to secure supplies and limit inflation.

Here is a list of some, with links to recent stories:

INDIA

India, the world's second-largest rice exporter after Thailand, will impose an export tax on basmati rice exports as part of a raft of measures to tame inflation and secure food supplies.

India had already banned exports of non-basmati rice and scrapped import duties on crude edible oils.

VIETNAM

Vietnam, the third-largest world rice exporter, has extended a ban on rice sales until June to help stabilize domestic food prices and tame double-digit inflation.

INDONESIA

Southeast Asia's largest rice consumer, will curb medium-grade rice exports in an effort to combat inflation.

BRAZIL

Brazil temporarily suspended rice exports to safeguard domestic supply and keep prices of the basic foodstuff stable.

EGYPT

The government banned rice exports from April 1 to October because the high price of other grains, especially wheat, has pushed up domestic demand for rice.

CAMBODIA

Cambodia announced a two-month ban on rice exports, the latest producer nation to impose restrictions on overseas sales.

PAKISTAN

Pakistan said it had no plan to ban or tax rice exports but exports could drop to 2.5 million tons in the year to June, from an earlier estimate of 2.8 million, to secure domestic supplies.

KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan suspended wheat exports until September 1 to combat double-digit inflation.

RUSSIA

The government has approved extending prohibitive export tariffs on wheat and barley due to expire on May 1.

UKRAINE

Ukraine increased its 2008 sunflower oil export quota put in place last month to 500,000 tons from 300,000 tons. The quota is for the period until July 1.

Ukraine has "practically opened" grain export shipments, limited last year after a fall in crops.

ARGENTINA

The world's fourth-largest wheat exporter, has effectively extended the closure of its wheat export registry by pushing back the date that new shipments can start to leave the country.

MALAWI

Malawi banned maize exports to all countries, except Zimbabwe, to ensure it had sufficient food stocks.

GUINEA

Guinea banned the export and re-export of agricultural, forestry, livestock, fishing and oil products.

(Compiled by Sybille de La Hamaide; editing by Chris Johnson)