212 Million Tons: China is the World’s Highest Rice Producing Country
Rice is one of the most important staple foods in the world, especially in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It provides more than one-fifth of the calories consumed worldwide by humans. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global rice production in 2021 was 787 million tons, with 10 countries accounting for 84% of it.
Among these 10 countries, China is the undisputed leader, producing 212 million tons of rice in 2021. This is more than a quarter of the world’s total production, and almost twice as much as India, the second-largest producer with 195 million tons. China has been the world’s top rice producer for decades, thanks to its large area of arable land, favorable climate, advanced irrigation systems, and high-yielding varieties.
How China Became the Top Rice Producer
China grows rice in almost every province, but the main rice-producing regions are in the south and east of the country, along the Yangtze River and its tributaries. The most common types of rice grown in China are indica (long-grain) and japonica (short-grain), which have different characteristics and preferences among consumers. Indica rice is more suitable for warm and humid climates, while japonica rice thrives in cooler and drier conditions.
Rice cultivation has a long history in China, dating back to at least 7000 BC. Rice is associated with many festivals, rituals, and traditions in China, such as the Dragon Boat Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Spring Festival. Rice is also used to make various products, such as wine, vinegar, noodles, paper, and cosmetics.
The development of rice production in China can be divided into four stages:
- The ancient stage (before 1949): Rice was mainly grown by small-scale farmers using traditional methods and tools. The productivity was low and unstable due to natural disasters, wars, and famines.
- The socialist stage (1949-1978): Rice production was organized under a collective system, with state-owned farms and communes. The government provided inputs, subsidies, and guidance for rice farmers. The productivity increased significantly due to the introduction of new varieties, fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation.
- The reform stage (1978-2000): Rice production was liberalized under a household responsibility system, with farmers having more autonomy and incentives to grow rice. The government reduced its intervention and support for rice farmers. The productivity continued to increase due to the adoption of hybrid rice, mechanization, and market-oriented policies.
- The modern stage (2000-present): Rice production is facing new challenges and opportunities in the context of globalization, urbanization, environmental protection, and food security. The government is promoting a green development strategy for rice production, with an emphasis on quality, efficiency, innovation, and sustainability.
The Role of China in the Global Rice Market
As the world’s largest rice producer and consumer, China plays a significant role in the global rice market. China exports some of its rice to other countries, mainly in Asia and Africa, but it also imports rice from other sources to meet its domestic demand and diversify its supply. In recent years, China has been importing more high-quality rice from countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Cambodia.
According to the USDA data, China exported 3.6 million tons of rice in 2020/21 (August-July), ranking fourth after India (16.5 million tons), Thailand (6 million tons), and Vietnam (5.7 million tons). China’s main export destinations were Benin (0.9 million tons), Ivory Coast (0.7 million tons), Ghana (0.4 million tons), Senegal (0.4 million tons), and Indonesia (0.3 million tons).
On the other hand, China imported 4.5 million tons of rice in 2020/21 (January-December), ranking third after Nigeria (5 million tons) and Iran (4.8 million tons). China’s main import sources were Thailand (1.6 million tons), Vietnam (1.2 million tons), Pakistan (0.7 million tons), Cambodia (0.6 million tons), and Myanmar (0.3 million tons).
The Future Challenges and Opportunities for China’s Rice Production
China’s rice production faces some challenges in the future, such as land degradation, water scarcity, climate change, pests and diseases, and changing consumer preferences. To address these issues, China is investing in research and development of new technologies and practices to improve rice productivity, quality, and sustainability. Some of these innovations include:
Hybrid rice:
Hybrid rice is a type of rice that is produced by crossing two different varieties of rice plants. Hybrid rice has higher yield potential than conventional rice varieties because it can utilize more solar energy through its larger leaf area and longer photosynthesis duration. China is the world leader in hybrid rice research and development, having developed the first commercial hybrid rice variety in 1976. Since then, China has released more than 300 hybrid rice varieties, covering about 60% of its rice area. Hybrid rice has contributed to China’s food security and poverty alleviation by increasing its rice production by more than 300 million tons in the past four decades.
Genetically modified rice:
Genetically modified rice is a type of rice that has been altered by inserting genes from other organisms to confer desirable traits, such as pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, drought tolerance, or nutrient enhancement. China is one of the pioneers in genetically modified rice research and development, having conducted the first field trial of transgenic rice in 1988. Since then, China has developed several genetically modified rice varieties, such as Bt rice (resistant to insect pests), HT rice (tolerant to herbicides), and Golden Rice (enriched with beta-carotene). However, none of these varieties has been approved for commercial cultivation in China due to public concerns over their safety and environmental impact.
Precision agriculture:
Precision agriculture is a type of agriculture that uses information and communication technologies, such as remote sensing, geographic information systems, global positioning systems, drones, sensors, and artificial intelligence, to monitor and manage crop production more efficiently and effectively. Precision agriculture can help optimize the use of inputs, such as water, fertilizer, pesticide, and labor, and improve the quality and quantity of outputs, such as yield, profit, and environmental performance. China is actively promoting precision agriculture for rice production, especially in its major rice-producing provinces, such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi.
Organic farming:
Organic farming is a type of farming that relies on natural processes and biological interactions to maintain soil fertility, control pests and diseases, and enhance biodiversity. Organic farming does not use synthetic inputs, such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics. Organic farming can help reduce the negative environmental impacts of conventional farming, such as soil erosion, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and loss of wildlife habitats. Organic farming can also help improve the health and welfare of farmers and consumers by providing safer and more nutritious food. China is one of the largest markets for organic food in the world, with a growing demand for organic rice. China has developed several standards and certification systems for organic rice production and marketing.
The World’s Top Rice Producers
Rice is one of the most important staple foods in the world, providing more than one-fifth of the calories consumed by humans. It is grown in over 100 countries, but only a few of them account for most of the global production. Here are the top 10 rice-producing countries in the world, based on the latest data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
China: The Largest Rice Producer
China is the largest producer of rice in the world, with a production of over 212 million tons in 2021, according to the FAO database. Rice is an essential part of the Chinese diet, and it is cultivated in almost every province of the country. China has a long history of rice cultivation, dating back to more than 7,000 years ago. China also leads the world in rice consumption, with an average per capita intake of 102 kg per year.
China’s rice production has increased significantly over the past decades, thanks to improved varieties, irrigation, fertilization, and mechanization. However, China also faces some challenges in maintaining its rice output, such as land degradation, water scarcity, climate change, and environmental pollution. China is also a net importer of rice, mainly from Vietnam and Thailand, to meet its domestic demand and maintain its food security.
India: The Second Largest Rice Producer
India is the second largest producer of rice in the world, with a production of over 195 million tons in 2021, according to the FAO database. Rice is a staple food for more than half of India’s population, especially in the eastern and southern regions. India has a diverse range of rice varieties, from basmati to non-basmati, and from aromatic to hybrid. India is also the largest exporter of rice in the world, shipping out nearly $8 billion worth of rice in 2019.
India’s rice production has grown steadily over the years, thanks to the Green Revolution that introduced high-yielding varieties, irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides. However, India also faces some challenges in sustaining its rice production, such as declining soil fertility, water stress, pest infestation, labor shortage, and market volatility. India is also a net importer of rice, mainly from Myanmar and Pakistan, to meet its domestic demand and buffer its stocks.
Bangladesh: The Third Largest Rice Producer
Bangladesh is the third largest producer of rice in the world, with a production of over 56 million tons in 2021, according to the FAO database. Rice is the main staple food for more than 90% of Bangladesh’s population, and it accounts for more than 70% of their calorie intake. Bangladesh has a wide variety of rice types, from Aus to Aman to Boro, and from local to modern to hybrid. Bangladesh is also a major importer of rice in the world, mainly from India and Thailand, to supplement its domestic supply and ensure its food security.
Bangladesh’s rice production has increased remarkably over the past decades, thanks to improved seeds, irrigation, fertilizers, and subsidies. However, Bangladesh also faces some challenges in enhancing its rice production, such as land fragmentation, salinity intrusion, flooding, droughts, cyclones, and climate change. Bangladesh is also a net exporter of rice, mainly to Nepal and Sri Lanka, to earn foreign exchange and support its economy.
References:
https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize
https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/rice/rice-sector-at-a-glance/
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