India Holds 40% Of Global Rice Market Despite Shipping Challenges

NEW DELHI- India accounts for about 40 per cent of global rice exports, making it a key player in international food security, industry leaders and agricultural experts said at the Bharat International Rice Conference 2026 in New Delhi.

Tarun Bajaj, general manager of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority under the Ministry of Commerce, said the conference is emerging as one of the world’s largest events focused on rice, bringing together stakeholders across the supply chain.

“India holds about 40 per cent share in global rice exports and is the undisputed leader. It is important to have such a platform in India where people from the entire value chain – from farmer to consumer – can sit together and discuss challenges and solutions,” Bajaj said.

Bajaj identified logistics as a major challenge, saying tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea have disrupted vessel movements, lengthened shipping times, raised insurance costs and increased freight charges.

He added that rice was not merely a commercial product but also essential to the food security of many countries. India, he said, was balancing domestic needs with its responsibility to importing nations.

Dr. Rajiv Kumar, executive director of the Rice Exporters Association, said India’s share of the global rice market exceeded the combined share of the second-, third- and fourth-largest exporters.

Kumar also flagged high logistics costs as a major hurdle. Unlike competitors such as Thailand and Vietnam, which rely more heavily on waterways, India depends largely on road transport, adding to costs. He called for greater production of rice varieties in demand in international markets to improve export value. Government support has helped India maintain a global market share of 35-40 per cent for several years, he said.

Despite weather-related challenges and the possibility of lower crop output, India has adequate buffer stocks of about 5.5 crore to 6 crore tons through the Food Corporation of India, keeping domestic supplies secure. (IANS)