10 Rice Exporting Countries You Should Know

Rice is one of the most widely consumed staple foods in the world. It is a versatile grain that can be used in many dishes, from sushi to risotto. But where does rice come from? Which countries produce and export the most rice? In this article, we will explore the top 10 rice exporting countries and their characteristics.

1. India

India is the largest exporter of rice in the world, accounting for about 26% of the global rice trade in 2020. India exports mainly basmati rice, a long-grain aromatic variety that is popular in Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisines. India also exports non-basmati rice, such as parboiled, white, and brown rice. India’s main markets are Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

2. Thailand

Thailand is the second-largest exporter of rice in the world, accounting for about 22% of the global rice trade in 2020. Thailand exports mainly jasmine rice, a fragrant long-grain variety that is prized for its soft and fluffy texture. Thailand also exports other types of rice, such as glutinous, parboiled, white, and brown rice. Thailand’s main markets are China, Nigeria, Benin, South Africa, and the United States.

3. Vietnam

Vietnam is the third-largest exporter of rice in the world, accounting for about 15% of the global rice trade in 2020. Vietnam exports mainly fragrant rice, such as jasmine and basmati, as well as white and glutinous rice. Vietnam’s main markets are China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.

4. Pakistan

Pakistan is the fourth-largest exporter of rice in the world, accounting for about 9% of the global rice trade in 2020. Pakistan exports mainly basmati rice, which is grown in the fertile Punjab region and has a distinctive flavor and aroma. Pakistan also exports non-basmati rice, such as IRRI-6, parboiled, white, and brown rice. Pakistan’s main markets are China, Afghanistan, Kenya, Oman, and Yemen.

5. United States

The United States is the fifth-largest exporter of rice in the world, accounting for about 7% of the global rice trade in 2020. The United States exports mainly long-grain rice, such as indica and japonica varieties, as well as medium-grain and short-grain rice. The United States grows rice mainly in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. The United States’ main markets are Mexico, Haiti, Japan, Canada, and Honduras.

6. Myanmar

Myanmar is the sixth-largest exporter of rice in the world, accounting for about 4% of the global rice trade in 2020. Myanmar exports mainly white rice and parboiled rice, as well as broken and glutinous rice. Myanmar grows rice mainly in the Ayeyarwady Delta region and the central dry zone. Myanmar’s main markets are China, Bangladesh, Senegal, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.

7. Cambodia

Cambodia is the seventh-largest exporter of rice in the world, accounting for about 3% of the global rice trade in 2020. Cambodia exports mainly jasmine rice and fragrant rice, as well as white and parboiled rice. Cambodia grows rice mainly in the Mekong River Basin and the Tonle Sap Lake region. Cambodia’s main markets are China, the European Union, Malaysia, Gabon, and Ghana.

8. Brazil

Brazil is the eighth-largest exporter of rice in the world, accounting for about 2% of the global rice trade in 2020. Brazil exports mainly long-grain white rice, as well as parboiled, brown, and organic rice. Brazil grows rice mainly in the southern states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná. Brazil’s main markets are Venezuela, Cuba, Peru, Iraq, and Nicaragua.

9. Uruguay

Uruguay is the ninth-largest exporter of rice in the world, accounting for about 2% of the global rice trade in 2020. Uruguay exports mainly long-grain white rice, as well as parboiled, brown, and organic rice. Uruguay grows rice mainly in the eastern regions of Treinta y Tres, Cerro Largo, and Rocha. Uruguay’s main markets are Brazil, Peru, Iraq, Iran, and Mexico.

10. China

China is the tenth-largest exporter of rice in the world, accounting for about 1% of the global rice trade in 2020.
China exports mainly japonica rice, a short-grain variety that is sticky and chewy. China also exports indica rice, a long-grain variety that is fluffy and dry. China grows rice mainly in the southern provinces of Hunan, Jiangxi, Hubei, Guangdong, and Guangxi. China’s main markets are Hong Kong, Macau, North Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore.

Rice is a diverse and delicious grain that is produced and exported by many countries around the world. Each country has its own unique varieties, characteristics, and markets. By learning more about the top 10 rice exporting countries, you can appreciate the richness and complexity of this global commodity.

Rice Exporting Countries: Trends and Prospects

Rice is one of the most important staple foods in the world, especially in Asia and Africa. According to Statista, worldwide rice exports by country were worth a total of US$29.3 billion in 2022, up by an average of 8.7% compared to 2021. In this blog post, we will look at some of the major rice exporting countries and how they are affected by the global demand and supply of rice.

India: The Top Rice Exporter

India is the world’s largest rice exporter, with a market share of 36.8% in 2022. India exported US$10.8 billion worth of rice in 2022, up by 11.8% since 2021. India mainly exports basmati rice, a long-grain aromatic variety that is highly valued in the international market. India’s main destinations for rice exports are Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates.

India’s rice production and exports are influenced by several factors, such as weather conditions, domestic consumption, government policies, and international prices. India has a minimum support price (MSP) policy that guarantees a minimum price for farmers who sell their rice to the government. The MSP acts as a floor price for the domestic market and also affects the export competitiveness of Indian rice. India also imposes export restrictions or bans on rice from time to time to ensure food security and price stability in the domestic market.

Thailand: The Second Largest Rice Exporter

Thailand is the second largest rice exporter in the world, with a market share of 13.5% in 2022. Thailand exported US$4 billion worth of rice in 2022, up by 18.3% since 2021. Thailand mainly exports jasmine rice, a fragrant and soft variety that is popular in Southeast Asia and other regions. Thailand’s main destinations for rice exports are China, Benin, Nigeria, Indonesia, and South Africa.

Thailand’s rice production and exports are also affected by various factors, such as weather conditions, domestic consumption, government policies, and international prices. Thailand has a pledging scheme that allows farmers to sell their rice to the government at a fixed price above the market price. The pledging scheme aims to support farmers’ income and boost domestic demand. However, it also creates a large stockpile of rice that the government has to sell in the international market at a lower price than the cost of production.

Vietnam: The Third Largest Rice Exporter

Vietnam is the third largest rice exporter in the world, with a market share of 8.6% in 2022. Vietnam exported US$2.5 billion worth of rice in 2022, down by 16.1% since 2021. Vietnam mainly exports glutinous rice, a sticky and chewy variety that is widely consumed in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s main destinations for rice exports are China, Philippines, Malaysia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana.

Vietnam’s rice production and exports are also influenced by several factors, such as weather conditions, domestic consumption, government policies, and international prices. Vietnam has a quota system that limits the amount of rice that can be exported each year. The quota system aims to ensure food security and price stability in the domestic market. However, it also reduces the export potential and competitiveness of Vietnamese rice.

Global Demand and Supply of Rice

The global demand and supply of rice are determined by various factors, such as population growth, income growth, dietary preferences, climate change, trade policies, and price fluctuations. According to USDA ERS, global rice consumption is projected to increase from 502 million metric tons in 2021/22 to 508 million metric tons in 2022/23, driven by population growth and income growth in developing countries.

Global rice production is projected to increase from 509 million metric tons in 2021/22 to 513 million metric tons in 2022/23, mainly due to higher yields and area expansion in some major producing countries such as India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.

Global rice trade is projected to increase from 47 million metric tons in 2021/22 to 49 million metric tons in 2022/23, mainly due to higher imports by China, Philippines, Nigeria, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.

The global rice market is expected to remain stable and balanced in the near future, with sufficient supply meeting the growing demand. However, there are also some uncertainties and challenges that may affect the market outlook, such as weather shocks, pest outbreaks, policy changes, trade disputes, and price volatility.

References:

https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize

https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL

https://www.statista.com/statistics/255947/top-rice-exporting-countries-worldwide-2011/

https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/rice/trade

https://irri.org/rice-statistics

http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC

https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators