Indian rice exporters focus on emerging markets

29-Oct-2025 08:32 PM

New Delhi. With paddy acreage reaching a new record high of 44.1 million hectares in the Kharif season and good southwest monsoon rains, this year's robust domestic rice production is expected to increase.

This will increase exportable stocks. Indian rice exporters are planning to increase exports to emerging markets in the current 2025-26 marketing season (October-September), including countries like Iraq, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. African countries already see significant exports of Indian rice.

The Vice President of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) states that India has been the world's leading rice exporter for the past 13-14 years, contributing approximately 42 percent to the global rice export market. Exporters are now focusing on markets where Indian rice has not yet achieved its desired reach.

Every effort will be made to increase rice exports to these markets to further boost the country's overall exports. India already has a large stock of rice, and this year's production is expected to be robust. Furthermore, the export offer price for Indian rice remains competitive.

India alone ships more rice than Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and the United States combined. Rice stocks in government warehouses have also risen to new record levels, while supply and availability in the domestic market remain relatively stable.

A Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report shows that India's rice production during the 2024-25 season rose sharply to another record high of 146.1 million tons, significantly exceeding the total domestic demand of 120.7 million tons.

Indian exporters have now identified 26 countries with significant potential for increased rice exports, including China, Japan, and Mexico. Many of these countries import rice from other countries whereas India can easily increase its participation there.