Over 3,000 farmers and FPOs, 1,000 foreign buyers from 80 countries, and 2,500 exporters, millers, to participate.

By BL New Delhi Bureau

India has identified 26 countries as potential markets for expanding its rice exports, including Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and the US, with a potential of unlocking Rs 1.8 lakh crore of export orders, and is set to focus on these at the Bharat two-day International Rice Conference (BRIC) 2025 in Delhi next week.

India wants to strengthen its position in regions where competitors such as Pakistan and Ireland currently dominate and has identified 26 such markets, pointed out Dev Garg, Vice President of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF), at a media briefing on Friday.

“These markets import ₹1,80,000 crore worth of rice from other countries. So, various rice varieties, GI, non-basmati, and basmati, have been identified which can replace this ₹1,80,000 crore worth of imports,” Garg said.

Memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth ₹25,000 crore of exports are expected to be signed during the conference, per the government.

The conference will bring together producers, exporters, importers, policymakers, financiers, logisticians, research institutions, and allied service providers to strengthen transparency, efficiency, and resilience in the global rice trade. Sustainability, innovation, and transparent, rules-based commerce will be at the core of the deliberations.

Over 3,000 farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), 1,000 foreign buyers from more than 80 countries, and 2,500 exporters, millers, and allied industries are likely to participate in the event on October 30-31.

India produced around 150 million tonnes of rice in 2024–25 from nearly 47 million hectares, accounting for about 28 percent of global output, per government figures. “Average yields have improved from 2.72 tonnes per hectare in 2014–15 to about 3.2 tonnes per hectare in 2024–25, driven by improved seed varieties, better agronomic practices, and expanded irrigation coverage. In FY 2024–25, India exported 20.1 million metric tonnes of rice valued at approximately $ 12.95 billion, reaching more than 172 countries,” a government statement noted.

Published Date: October 24, 2025