India’s rice production has reached an all-time high this crop year, prompting exporters to seek growth in untapped markets like Iraq, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, industry officials say. Reuters
Production for the year ending June 2025 stood at approximately 146.1 million tons, significantly exceeding domestic demand of about 120.7 million tons, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and exporter associations. Reuters
With stocks mounting in government warehouses, companies under the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) banner say they are actively targeting new buyers among emerging markets to offset the domestic glut. Vice-President Dev Garg said Indian exporters plan to tap 26 international markets, leveraging India’s wide range of rice varieties. Reuters
“This surge gives us the opportunity to diversify beyond traditional markets,” Garg said in a statement. “We are already supplying around 40 percent of the world’s rice shipments, and now we want to deepen our presence in markets that are less served.” Reuters
Analysts say the shift comes at a crucial time for India’s agriculture sector. Surplus rice stocks, combined with favorable monsoon seasons, have improved output—and now exporters are working to turn volume into value by entering new geographies and offering specialized varieties.
Why it matters:
- For India’s farming economy, higher output means more scope for farmers and exporters alike.
- For global markets: as India sends more rice abroad, it could affect supply prices in regions reliant on food imports.
- For your readers interested in trade/economics: this is a key moment showing how India is moving from production growth to global market strategy.
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