India becomes the largest rice producer leaving China behind

18-Jun-2025 08:43 PM

New Delhi. India has been the world’s largest exporter of rice since 2011–12, and it continues to maintain this position despite various export controls and duties. India’s share in the global rice export market stands at around 40–42 percent.

While China was previously the top producer of rice, India has now surpassed it in the 2024–25 marketing season to become the largest rice producer in the world. This development is supported by data from both the Union Agriculture Ministry and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

According to the USDA's May report, India’s total rice production for the 2024–25 season is projected to reach an all-time high of 148 million tonnes, which is 2 million tonnes more than China’s estimated production of 146 million tonnes.

The USDA also anticipates that India’s rice output may rise even further in the 2025–26 season, supported by the recent increase in the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy by ₹69 per quintal and expectations of above-average rainfall during the southwest monsoon.

In the 2025–26 season, India’s gross rice production is estimated to reach a record 151 million tonnes—well above the country’s domestic consumption. This is expected to significantly boost India’s exportable surplus.

The central government has fully deregulated the export of all varieties and categories of rice, resulting in robust overseas shipments. Farmers across the country remain enthusiastic about paddy cultivation, and the sown area is likely to remain high.