The Government announced earlier in the month the release of 3.81 million tonnes of rice in two auctions on 25 July. One auction will offer 1.63 million tonnes intended for human and industrial use and another 2.18 million tonnes for export only. The latter volume will be sold to traders who have orders from international buyers. The measure follows other auctions held since the start of the year aimed to clear the plentiful reserves of rice, accumulated under the paddy-pledging programme from 2011 to 2014.