India’s Rice Exports Surge in 2026: Latest Data and Market Outlook
India’s rice exports did not rise due to a sudden spike in global demand. Demand had remained steady throughout. The real shift came when export restrictions were removed, restoring India’s ability to supply global markets without compromising its sovereignty.
When New Delhi lifted the remaining rice export restrictions, shipments did not gradually trickle back; they rushed in. As the world’s largest rice exporter, India reclaimed the market share it had temporarily stepped away from. The effect was immediate:
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Prices adjusted
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Volumes surged
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Competitors recalibrated
This was not a demand shock. It was a supply release, reshaping global rice pricing, trade flows, and sourcing strategies almost overnight.
In this blog, we explain how policy changes unlocked India’s rice exports, review the latest data from 2025 and 2026, examine market trends, and analyze what this surge means for global buyers and supply chains.
India’s Rice Exports in 2025: IREF-Style Overview
According to IREF data, India’s rice exports rebounded sharply in 2025, following the removal of export restrictions imposed in 2022–2023. The policy shift allowed shipments to return to global markets at full capacity, generating strong growth across both non-basmati and basmati segments.
Key Highlights:
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Total Rice Exports: 21.55 million metric tons in 2025, up 19.4% from 18.05 million tons in 2024. This is the second-highest export volume on record, just below the 22.3 million tons exported in 2022.
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Non-Basmati Rice: Exports rose 25%, reaching 15.15 million tons, driven by high-volume demand from Asian and African markets prioritizing price stability and supply consistency.
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Basmati Rice: Exports increased 8%, reaching a record 6.4 million tons, reflecting stable demand from premium markets such as Iran, UAE, and the UK, where buyers value grain quality, aroma, and origin integrity.
Analysis:
The lifting of export curbs acted as a release valve for global supply. India did not need new buyers; existing markets absorbed the surge immediately. Non-basmati rice provided volume and food security, while basmati maintained premium value and quality consistency.
These figures reinforce India’s position as the world’s largest rice exporter, capable of influencing global prices and supply flows across both volume-driven and premium segments.
India’s Rice Export Outlook for 2026
Building on 2025 trends, India’s rice exports in 2026 are expected to maintain strong momentum. Several factors underpin this outlook:
1. Export Volumes
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Current trends suggest shipments will remain close to or exceed 21.5 million metric tons, supported by strong domestic production and full market access.
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Non-basmati rice continues to dominate in volume-driven markets, while basmati caters to premium, high-value buyers.
2. Market Diversification
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India is actively expanding into 26 global markets, including Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and African countries.
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Diversification reduces dependence on traditional buyers and enhances supply chain resilience.
3. Price Stability
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Non-basmati rice remains affordable and predictable, helping stabilize staple food costs in import-dependent countries.
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Basmati rice retains premium pricing due to geographical indication (GI) certification, consistent quality, and traceability, sustaining revenue per ton.
4. Production and Supply Chain Readiness
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Record production in 2025–26 ensures surplus availability for exports.
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Improved logistics, port efficiency, and compliance systems minimize shipment delays and maintain quality standards.
Segment-Wise Insights
Non-Basmati Rice: Volume & Food Security
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Non-basmati continues to dominate volume-based markets, particularly in Bangladesh, Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, and Nigeria.
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Indian rice meets the needs of governments, food programs, and large importers that prioritize availability over branding.
Basmati Rice: Premium & Compliance
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Premium basmati demand remains robust in Iran, UAE, UK, and European countries.
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Over 43,000 RCACs (Registration-cum-Allocation Certificates) were issued to basmati exporters in 2025–26, reflecting a structured, compliance-driven export ecosystem.
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Buyers value origin integrity, aroma, grain length, and batch consistency ensuring India’s basmati commands a global premium.
Global Market Impacts
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Price Stabilization
The return of large Indian shipments pushed Asian rice prices to decade-low levels, benefiting importers and governments managing food costs.
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Competitor Recalibration
Thailand and Vietnam adjusted volumes and pricing as India reclaimed market dominance.
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Food Security Support
African and Middle Eastern countries reliant on rice imports benefited from predictable availability and price relief.
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Policy Lessons
Even small export curbs can significantly impact global prices. The 2025–26 surge highlights how policy clarity strengthens market confidence.
Opportunities and Risks for Buyers
Importers & Sourcing Specialists:
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Secure reliable, high-volume contracts
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Optimize procurement costs
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Diversify across basmati and non-basmati
Logistics & Supply Chain Managers:
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Ensure port readiness and container optimization
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Track documentation, customs clearance, and phytosanitary compliance
Quality Control & Compliance Teams:
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Partner with exporters adhering to HACCP, ISO 22000, and GI compliance standards
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Verify batch quality and origin consistency
Policy Timeline: How Export Access Was Restored
India’s rice export surge in 2025–26 is best understood through the lens of policy evolution rather than demand fluctuation. The government’s approach over the past four years reflects a gradual transition from domestic price control to export normalization.
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2022: An export ban was imposed on broken rice; restrictions were introduced on non-basmati rice to manage domestic inflation and food security concerns.
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2023: Partial easing of restrictions, including the introduction of minimum export prices (MEP) on select categories.
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2024–25: Progressive withdrawal of export curbs, culminating in the full removal of restrictions and MEPs.
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2026: The export regime stabilizes, allowing unrestricted shipments across rice varieties.
This policy clarity restored confidence among global buyers and enabled exporters to plan long-term supply commitments, directly contributing to the surge in shipment volumes.
Destination-Wise Demand: Where Indian Rice Is Moving
India’s rice exports in 2025–26 reflect a diversified and well-established global footprint, catering to both volume-driven and premium markets.
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Africa: Countries such as Benin, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Nigeria remain key destinations for non-basmati rice, driven by food security needs and price sensitivity.
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South Asia: Bangladesh and Nepal continue to rely on Indian rice due to geographical proximity and dependable supply chains.
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Middle East: Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia are major buyers of basmati and parboiled rice, prioritizing quality consistency and long-term sourcing relationships.
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Europe & UK: Demand remains focused on premium basmati rice, supported by strict quality, traceability, and compliance requirements.
This diversified demand base reduces market risk and reinforces India’s role as a strategic supplier rather than a single-market-dependent exporter.
Quality and Compliance Framework: Meeting Global Standards
A key factor behind India’s sustained export growth is the strengthening of its quality and regulatory ecosystem. Indian rice exports increasingly operate within a structured, compliance-driven framework designed to meet international standards.
Key elements include:
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APEDA registration for all exporters
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GI-tag compliance for basmati rice, ensuring origin authenticity
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HACCP and ISO 22000 food safety systems
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Phytosanitary certification and residue testing
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Batch-level traceability for premium exports
For buyers in regulated markets, this framework minimizes risk, ensures consistency, and supports repeat procurement rather than transactional trade.
JD Enterprises: Your Partner for Reliable Indian Rice Supply
Global buyers seeking quality, reliability, and compliance can partner with JD Enterprises, which offers:
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Verified supplier networks with international certifications
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End-to-end export documentation support
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HACCP, ISO, and phytosanitary compliance
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Transparent pricing and contract facilitation
JD Enterprises ensures smooth, predictable, and compliant supply, helping buyers capitalize on India’s rice export surge in 2026.
Conclusion: India Continues to Shape the Global Rice Trade
India’s rice export resurgence in 2025–26 highlights the importance of policy clarity, restored access, and resilient supply chains. With export restrictions removed, India has re-established its leadership in global rice trade, shaping prices, availability, and trade flows across key importing regions.
For importers, sourcing specialists, logistics managers, and compliance teams, understanding export trends, current volumes, and market direction is essential for managing supply risk and procurement costs.
This blog has outlined India’s export rebound and what it means for global buyers seeking reliable supply and long-term stability. As global buyers recalibrate sourcing strategies in 2026, JD Enterprises helps you secure compliant, price-stable Indian rice supplies with confidence.
Connect with JD Enterprises today to secure a reliable Indian rice supply and strengthen your sourcing strategy.
FAQ’s
1. Why did India’s rice exports surge in 2025–26?
India’s rice exports surged primarily due to the removal of export restrictions, not increased global demand. Once policy barriers were lifted, India rapidly restored supply to existing markets, releasing pent-up export capacity and reshaping global trade flows.
2. Did global rice demand increase suddenly in 2026?
No. Global demand for rice remained relatively stable. The surge was driven by India’s renewed ability to export freely, allowing it to reclaim lost market share and meet ongoing demand that had been temporarily filled by other exporters.
3. How much rice did India export in 2025?
As per Business Standard, India exported approximately 21.55 million metric tons of rice in 2025, marking a 19.4% increase over 2024. This was the second-highest export volume in India’s history, just below the 2022 peak.
4. What role did non-basmati rice play in export growth?
Non-basmati rice drove the bulk of export growth, rising 25% to 15.15 million tons. It supports food security-focused markets, particularly in Africa and Asia, where buyers prioritize affordability, volume availability, and supply consistency.
5. How did basmati rice exports perform in 2025–26?
Basmati rice exports reached a record 6.4 million tons, growing 8%. Strong demand from premium markets such as Iran, UAE, the UK, and Europe reflects continued preference for India’s quality, aroma, and GI-certified origin.
6. What is the outlook for India’s rice exports in 2026?
India’s rice exports in 2026 are expected to remain above 21.5 million tons. Strong production, stable policy, diversified markets, and improved logistics support sustained export momentum across both premium and volume-driven segments.
7. How has India’s export policy impacted global rice prices?
The return of large Indian shipments pushed global rice prices to decade-low levels. This stabilized food costs for import-dependent countries and forced competitors like Thailand and Vietnam to adjust pricing and export strategies.
8. Which regions import the most Indian rice?
Africa dominates non-basmati imports, while the Middle East, Europe, and the UK focus on basmati rice. South Asian neighbours like Bangladesh and Nepal also rely heavily on Indian rice due to proximity and dependable supply chains.
9. How does India ensure quality and compliance in rice exports?
India enforces APEDA registration, GI compliance for basmati, HACCP and ISO 22000 standards, phytosanitary certification, and batch-level traceability. This structured framework ensures consistent quality, regulatory compliance, and reduced risk for global buyers.
10. How can buyers benefit from partnering with JD Enterprises?
JD Enterprises offers certified supplier networks, full export documentation, compliance with global food safety standards, and transparent pricing. Buyers benefit from reliable supply, reduced procurement risk, and smooth access to India’s expanding rice export market.
