Key Highlights

  • Global leader: India holds about 40% of global rice exports, said APEDA General Manager Tarun Bajaj.
  • Ahead of rivals: The combined share of the second, third and fourth largest exporters is still less than India's, according to the Rice Exporters Association.
  • Logistics hurdle: Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea have raised shipping time, insurance costs and freight charges.
  • Road vs water: India relies mostly on road transport, while competitors like Thailand and Vietnam use waterways more.
  • Buffer secure: FCI holds about 5.5 to 6 crore tonnes of buffer stock, keeping supply secure despite weather risks, an industry expert said.

India is not just the world's largest rice exporter but also a critical pillar of global food security, industry leaders, exporters and agri-experts said on Saturday at the Bharat International Rice Conference 2026 in New Delhi.

"India holds about 40 per cent share in global rice exports and is the undisputed leader. It is important to have such a platform in India where people from the entire value chain - from farmer to consumer - can sit together and discuss challenges and solutions," said Tarun Bajaj, General Manager, APEDA, under the Ministry of Commerce.

Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Executive Director, Rice Exporters Association, said India's position is so strong that the combined share of the next three largest exporters remains lower than India's. He added that government support has helped India hold a 35–40 per cent global share for several years.

The Weak Link: Getting Rice to the World

Despite this dominance, experts agreed that logistics is the biggest challenge. Bajaj said tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea have disrupted vessel movement, lengthened shipping times, raised insurance costs and multiplied freight charges. He added that coordinated efforts by the Centre, state governments and industry have kept exports running smoothly.

Kumar pointed to a structural issue as well. While Thailand and Vietnam rely more on waterways, India depends largely on road transport, which drives up costs. He suggested focusing on varieties with higher international demand to secure better value.

Why It Matters: Food Security Beyond Borders

When a single country supplies around 40 per cent of the world's traded rice, its export policies and logistics affect food prices in many importing nations. Bajaj said rice is not only a commercial product but a matter of food security, and India is balancing its domestic needs with those of importing countries.

At home, supply appears stable. Rajesh Paharia Jain, Chief Manager, KRIBHCO Agri, said, "Despite weather-related challenges and possible dip in crop output, the country has adequate buffer stock of about 5.5 to 6 crore tonnes through Food Corporation of India (FCI), so the situation remains secure."

Technology and Quality in Focus

Hansa Singh Rakya, Founder, Agriguru Online, said her company has developed what it describes as the world's first AI-based market intelligence platform, offering real-time prices, freight costs, trade rules and global updates.

Purvi Shah, Head, SGS Food Testing Services, said buyer-seller interactions and awareness of new global requirements can reduce customs and quality-related rejections. Dr. Pankaj Jaimini, Managing Director, Eurofins Analytical Services India, said the event brought buyers, exporters, testing labs and research institutions together.

A Growing Industry Platform

Prashant Raizada, Partner, EY, called the conference the biggest and most impactful event for the rice sector so far. Jain noted that this year's participation was larger than last year's, with the entire value chain present, from bag manufacturers and surveyors to custom house agents, farmers and exporters.

The Bottom Line

India's lead in the global rice market looks secure. The bigger question is cost. Unless freight and inland transport become cheaper and more resilient, geopolitical shocks at sea could keep eating into the margins of the world's biggest rice supplier.