How 10 Countries Produce 90% of the World’s Rice: A Detailed Analysis

Rice is one of the most important staple foods in the world, feeding more than half of the global population. It is also a vital source of income and employment for millions of farmers and traders. But which countries produce the most rice, and how do they do it? In this article, we will explore the world rice production by country, and examine the factors that affect their yields, quality, and sustainability.

Top 10 rice-producing countries

The top 10 rice-producing countries in the world are China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Brazil, and Pakistan. Together, they account for about 90% of the total rice production in the world, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) statistics for 2019. Here is a breakdown of their production volumes and shares:

Country	Production (million tonnes)	Share (%)
China	148.5	29.6
India	116.4	23.2
Indonesia	36.7	7.3
Bangladesh	34.9	7.0
Vietnam	27.8	5.5
Thailand	20.4	4.1
Myanmar	14.6	2.9
Philippines	12.9	2.6
Brazil	11.3	2.3
Pakistan	7.5	1.5

These countries have different climatic conditions, farming systems, and rice varieties that influence their production levels and patterns. Some of the common factors that affect rice production are:

Water availability and irrigation

Rice is a water-intensive crop that requires adequate and timely water supply for optimal growth and yield. Irrigation systems can help farmers control water availability and reduce the risk of droughts or floods. However, irrigation can also pose challenges such as water scarcity, salinity, pollution, and conflicts over water resources.

Soil fertility and nutrient management

Rice grows best in fertile soils that have good physical and chemical properties. Soil fertility can be enhanced by applying organic or inorganic fertilizers, crop rotation, intercropping, or green manuring. Nutrient management involves balancing the inputs and outputs of nutrients in the soil to avoid deficiencies or excesses that can harm the crop or the environment.

Pest and disease control

Rice is susceptible to various pests and diseases that can reduce its yield and quality. Some of the major pests and diseases are rice blast, bacterial leaf blight, brown plant hopper, stem borer, and rats. Pest and disease control can be achieved by using resistant varieties, cultural practices, biological control, or chemical pesticides.

Harvesting and post-harvest handling

Rice harvesting involves cutting, threshing, drying, and storing the rice grains. Harvesting should be done at the right time to avoid losses due to shattering, lodging, or spoilage. Post-harvest handling involves cleaning, milling, grading, packaging, and transporting the rice to the market or consumers. Post-harvest losses can be minimized by using appropriate equipment, methods, and facilities.

Rice production is not only influenced by biophysical factors but also by socio-economic factors such as policies, markets, institutions, and human capital. These factors can affect the incentives, opportunities, and constraints faced by rice farmers and other actors in the rice value chain. Some of the key socio-economic factors are:

Price and trade

Rice price is determined by the interaction of supply and demand in the domestic and international markets. Price affects the profitability and competitiveness of rice producers and traders, as well as the affordability and accessibility of rice for consumers. Trade policies such as tariffs, quotas, subsidies, or bans can also affect rice price and trade flows.

Research and extension

Rice research aims to develop new technologies and innovations that can improve rice productivity, quality, resilience, and sustainability. Extension services help disseminate these technologies and innovations to farmers and other stakeholders through training, demonstration, or advisory support.

Infrastructure and logistics

Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, electricity, and communication facilities can facilitate the movement of inputs and outputs in the rice value chain. Logistics such as storage, transportation, and distribution can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the rice value chain.

Gender and social inclusion

Rice production involves men, women, and youth who have different roles, responsibilities, and needs in the rice value chain. Gender and social inclusion aim to ensure that all groups have equal access to resources, opportunities, and benefits from rice production, and that their voices and interests are represented and respected.

Rice production is a complex and dynamic process that involves multiple actors and factors. Understanding the world rice production by country can help us appreciate the diversity and challenges of rice farming, as well as the potential and opportunities for improvement. By working together, we can ensure that rice production is not only profitable and productive, but also sustainable and inclusive.

World Rice Production by Country

Rice is one of the most important staple foods for more than half of the world’s population, especially in Asia, Africa and South America. Rice production is a major source of income and employment for many countries, as well as a key factor in food security and nutrition. In this blog post, we will look at some statistics and trends of world rice production by country, and how they reflect the global demand and supply of this crop.

Top 10 Rice Producers in 2021

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the total world rice production in 2021 was estimated at 787.3 million tonnes, a slight increase from 785.2 million tonnes in 2020. The top 10 rice producing countries accounted for more than 80% of the global output, with China and India being the largest producers by far. The following table shows the top 10 rice producers in 2021, along with their production volumes and shares of the world total.

Rank	Country	Production (tonnes)	Share (%)
1	China	212,843,000	27.0
2	India	195,425,000	24.8
3	Bangladesh	56,944,554	7.2
4	Indonesia	54,415,294	6.9
5	Vietnam	43,852,729	5.6
6	Thailand	33,582,000	4.3
7	Myanmar	24,910,000	3.2
8	Philippines	19,960,170	2.5
9	Pakistan	13,984,009	1.8
10	Brazil	11,660,603	1.5

Source: List of countries by rice production – Wikipedia

Trends and Drivers of Rice Production

Rice production has grown steadily over the past six decades, from about 216 million tonnes in 1961 to nearly four times that amount in 2021. The growth rate has slowed down in recent years, however, due to various factors such as land and water constraints, climate change impacts, pests and diseases, labor shortages and market fluctuations.

The main drivers of rice production are the demand and consumption patterns of the population, especially in Asia where rice is a staple food for most people. The demand for rice is influenced by factors such as income levels, urbanization, dietary preferences and cultural traditions. As income levels rise and urbanization increases, people tend to diversify their diets and consume more meat, dairy products and processed foods, which reduces the demand for rice. On the other hand, some countries such as China and India have large populations that still rely heavily on rice as their main source of calories and protein.

Another driver of rice production is the availability and accessibility of inputs and technologies that can improve the productivity and efficiency of rice farming. These include improved seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation systems, machinery and post-harvest facilities. The adoption of these inputs and technologies depends on factors such as the cost-benefit analysis, the availability of credit and extension services, the infrastructure and market conditions, and the policies and regulations of the governments.

Challenges and Opportunities for Rice Production

Rice production faces many challenges in the current and future scenarios, such as:

Increasing competition for land and water resources from other crops and sectors
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts from rice cultivation
Adapting to climate change effects such as droughts, floods, heat stress and salinity
Enhancing resilience to pests and diseases outbreaks
Improving quality and safety standards to meet consumer preferences and regulations
Increasing profitability and income for smallholder farmers
Ensuring food security and nutrition for vulnerable groups

To overcome these challenges and seize the opportunities for rice production, some possible strategies are:

Promoting sustainable intensification and diversification of rice systems
Adopting climate-smart agriculture practices such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), direct seeding (DS), conservation agriculture (CA) and agroforestry
Developing new varieties that are tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses
Strengthening research and innovation capacities to generate new knowledge and technologies
Enhancing value addition and market linkages to increase competitiveness and income
Supporting farmer organizations and cooperatives to improve access to inputs, services and markets
Implementing policies and programs that support rice production and consumption, such as subsidies, tariffs, public procurement, social protection and nutrition education

References:

http://faostat.fao.org/Portals/_Faostat/documents/pdf/FAOSTAT-Forestry-def-e.pdf

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

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

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

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/rice-production-by-country
https://www.statista.com/statistics/255945/top-countries-of-destination-for-us-rice-exports-2011/
https://www.statista.com/topics/1443/rice/

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

http://ricepedia.org/

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