A potential export ban of basmati rice from India has sparked fears of supply shortages.

The Indian government announced that it is considering an export ban because of growing demand for basmati in its domestic market and a scarcity of rice across the world.

The UK imports 80% of its basmati rice from India, which is the sole exporting nation to rice brands such as Tilda and Uncle Ben's.

"The speculation about the ban is of great concern to us and worrying for British consumers as 45% of all rice eaten in the UK is basmati," said Jonathan Calland, public affairs manager at Tilda.

The entire basmati range of Uncle Ben's UK and European operations comes from India and a spokeswoman said the company would continue to monitor the situation but had no plans to increase prices.

"If India was to impose a ban on basmati exports it would make life very difficult indeed," said Alex Waugh, director of The Rice Association.