• Kakinada anchors exports, accounting for over two-thirds of total
• Angola, Liberia emerge as key destinations amid sustained demand

India’s rice shipments rose sharply w-o-w during 27 December 2025-2 January 2026, more than tripling to 92,700 tonnes (t) compared with 28,000 t during 21-26 December, driven by the resumption of loadings at Kandla and sustained operational execution at Kakinada, BigMint data showed.

Kakinada Port emerged as the primary loading hub during the week, accounting for over two-thirds of total volumes (61,500 t), while Kandla handled the balance, mainly catering to western and southern African destinations. However, Kakinada’s volumes declined w-o-w, reflecting a slowdown after heavy pre-year-end dispatches.

Kandla returned to the export map with 31,200 t shipped, offsetting the complete absence of cargoes from Vizag, which had handled 28,000 t in the prior week. The shift in port-wise activity indicates a rebalancing of execution rather than a broad-based surge in demand, with exporters aligning shipments to confirmed orders and available vessel berthing windows.

Additionally, the sharp uptick was largely due to bagged rice shipments to Africa, according to BigMint vessel tracking data. The flow reflects continued demand from traditional African markets, even as global rice trade remains cautious amid freight volatility and price-sensitive buying.

Kakinada drives export momentum

Kakinada Port shipped a combined 61,500 t during the week versus 109,170 t a week earlier, reflecting a contraction of 44% w-o-w. Liberia remained the dominant destination, with two large consignments totalling 53,000 t discharged at Monrovia. Wilmar International led weekly shipments with 28,000 t, followed closely by Satyam Balajee Rice Industries Pvt Ltd at 25,000 t.

Additionally, Olam Agri India Private Limited shipped 8,500 t of bagged rice to Dakar, Senegal, reflecting steady offtake from Francophone West Africa, where Indian rice continues to compete on price against Southeast Asian origins.

Kandla supplies material to Angola, Yemen

Kandla Port contributed 31,200 t, largely driven by shipments to Angola. Jagat Agrotech shipped a combined 18,000 t to Luanda, the capital and largest city of Angola, across two parcels, while Sailor Exports added another 3,200 t to the same destination, reinforcing Angolas position as a stable buyer of Indian bagged rice.

Meanwhile, Al-Gyas Exports Pvt Ltd shipped 10,000 t from Kandla to Hodeidah, Yemen, indicating continued humanitarian and commercial demand despite ongoing logistical and geopolitical challenges in the region.

Outlook

The shipment pattern highlights a demand-driven export flow rather than speculative stocking, with volumes aligned to confirmed African offtake. While total shipments remain moderate, the concentration of cargoes at Kakinada suggests exporters continue to favour east coast logistics for bulk African destinations.

Market participants expect export volumes to remain at around these levels in the near term, with further upside dependent on clarity around procurement flows, freight costs, and sustained buying interest from Africa and the Middle East.

Published Date: January 6, 2026