India’s rice exports are all set to hit a new record despite severe flooding that damaged crops in the Punjab, according to the International Grains Council (IGC)
India’s rice exports surge due to strong demand from African Nations
The International Grains Council has anticipated that India’s rice exports stood at 23.4 million tonnes of rice during the 2025-26 season, a 2% rise from the last season. This rice export surge will be driven by strong demand from African nations and a recent rebound in shipments to markets in Pacific Asia, such as the Philippines and Malaysia. India is projected to contribute more than one-third of the global rice trade, which is forecast to reach a record 59.9 million tonnes.
Notably, India’s rice exports stood at 19.86 million tonnes in FY25, exceeding 16.35 million tonnes in FY24.
The report presented by IGC on September 22 was published on the website of the World Trade Organization (WTO) the following day. The submission was made for the 113th meeting of the WTO Committee on Agriculture, scheduled for 25–26 September.
Basmati rice exporters seek to purchase more from UP and MP
The forecast emerges even as floods have affected Punjab and Haryana, which together account for 75% of the country’s long-grain basmati rice output. According to industry experts, India’s diversified rice belt across eastern and southern states is lessening the overall output.
Apparently, to meet the shortfall, Basmati rice exporters will purchase more from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Moreover, the All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) has forecasted India’s Basmati Rice exports at 6.5 million tonnes in the current fiscal year, an increase from 6.06 million tonnes in FY25