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India’s rice exports in 2025

12 Jan 2026 GS 3 Agriculture
India’s rice exports in 2025 Click to view full image

Overall performance

  • Rice exports rose by 19.4% in 2025

  • Total exports: 21.55 million metric tonnes

  • Second-highest ever, close to the 2022 record of 22.3 million tonnes

  • Growth followed removal of all export curbs imposed during 2022–2023

Reason for surge

  • Export restrictions fully lifted in March 2025

  • Record domestic rice production

  • Improved availability reduced government concerns over:

    • Domestic food inflation

    • Food security

Composition of exports

Non-basmati rice

  • Exports increased by 25%

  • Volume: 15.15 million tonnes

  • Major destination countries:

    • Bangladesh

    • Benin

    • Cameroon

    • Ivory Coast

    • Djibouti

Basmati rice

  • Exports increased by 8%

  • Volume: 6.4 million tonnes (record high)

  • Major destination countries:

    • Iran

    • United Arab Emirates

    • United Kingdom

Impact on global rice market

  • India is the world’s largest rice exporter

  • Higher Indian supplies:

    • Curbed exports from Thailand and Vietnam

    • Pushed Asian rice prices to lowest levels in nearly a decade

  • Result:

    • Lower food costs for poor consumers in Africa and other regions

Strategic and economic significance

For India

  • Strengthens position as a global food supplier

  • Boosts:

    • Agricultural exports

    • Farm incomes

    • Foreign exchange earnings

  • Signals confidence in domestic food buffer stocks

For global food security

  • Eases supply stress in:

    • Import-dependent African nations

    • Price-sensitive developing economies

  • Stabilising effect on global cereal inflation

In 2025, India became the world’s largest rice producer with 150.18 million tonnes, surpassing China, but rice cultivation remains highly water-intensive at 3,000–4,000 litres per kg.

Rice

  • Climatic & Soil Requirements: It is a kharif crop (sown in June-July and harvested in September-October).

    • Requires high temperature (>25°C), optimal at 30°C day/20°C night, tolerating up to 40°C briefly.

    • Needs high humidity and above 100 cm of rainfall. Given India’s predominantly tropical monsoon climate, rice is cultivated in most regions, primarily through irrigation.

    • Thrives in soils with a pH of 5.5–6.5 and good water-holding capacity and drainage.

  • Cropping Intensity: In southern states and West Bengal, two or three crops (e.g., Aus, Aman, Boro in West Bengal) can be grown annually.

    • In 2025–26, the top three states by rice production share are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and West Bengal.

          

Prelims Practice MCQs

Q. According to recent data, India surpassed which country to become the world’s largest rice producer?

A. Thailand
B. Vietnam
C. United States
D. China

Answer: D

Explanation:
India produced 150.18 million tonnes, exceeding China’s 145.28 million tonnes.

Q. India’s rice production in the latest reported period is closest to:

A. 130 million tonnes
B. 140 million tonnes
C. 150 million tonnes
D. 160 million tonnes

Answer: C

Explanation:
India’s rice output is reported at 150.18 million tonnes.



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