India commands approximately 40 per cent of global rice exports, making it the undisputed leader in international rice trade and an increasingly critical pillar of world food security, according to industry leaders, exporters, and agricultural experts gathered at the Bharat International Rice Conference 2026 in New Delhi on 25 October 2026.

India's Commanding Market Position

Tarun Bajaj, General Manager, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce, said India's dominance in rice exports is unmatched. '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,' he said on the sidelines of the conference.

Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Executive Director of the Rice Exporters Association, reinforced this, noting that the combined share of the second, third, and fourth largest rice exporters globally is still less than India's alone. He added that government support has helped India sustain a 35–40 per cent global market share for several consecutive years.

Logistics: The Biggest Bottleneck

Despite its market strength, experts flagged logistics as the single largest challenge. Bajaj cited geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea as factors that have disrupted vessel movement, lengthened shipping timelines, inflated insurance premiums, and pushed up freight charges. He said joint efforts by the central government, state governments, and industry have helped keep export flows relatively smooth despite these pressures.

Dr. Kumar added a structural dimension: while competitors such as Thailand and Vietnam rely predominantly on waterways for transport, India depends more heavily on road networks, which structurally raises its logistics costs. He suggested India focus on cultivating varieties with stronger international demand to command better pricing and offset the cost disadvantage.

Food Security and Buffer Stocks

Rajesh Paharia Jain, Chief Manager at KRIBHCO Agri, said that despite weather-related disruptions and a possible dip in crop output this season, India's food security position remains stable. '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,' he said. Bajaj also noted that India, as a responsible exporter, is carefully balancing its domestic requirements while supporting the food security needs of importing nations.

Technology and Industry Ecosystem

Hansa Singh Rakya, Founder of Agriguru Online, said her company has built what she described as the world's first AI-based market intelligence platform for the rice sector, offering real-time data on prices, freight costs, trade regulations, and global developments — a tool she said is particularly valuable amid shifting geopolitical landscapes and evolving trade policies.

The event drew participation from across the value chain, including bag manufacturers, surveyors, custom house agents, farmers, exporters, testing laboratories, and research institutions. Prashant Raizada, Partner at EY (Ernst & Young LLP), described the conference as 'the biggest and most impactful event for the rice sector so far.' Dr. Pankaj Jaimini, Managing Director of Eurofins Analytical Services India, said the conference successfully brought the full industry ecosystem together to address future challenges. Purvi Shah, Head of SGS Food Testing Services, noted that such forums help streamline global trade by aligning exporters with evolving international quality and regulatory requirements, potentially reducing customs and quality-related rejections.

With geopolitical pressures on shipping lanes showing no immediate sign of easing, how India manages its logistics transformation in the coming years could be as decisive for global rice supply as the volumes it exports.