Brown rice market in India

Earlier Report Observations

India's brown rice market volume showed significant fluctuations from 2018 to 2023, primarily driven by shifts in export policy. The market remained stable around 655 thousand tons in 2018 and 2019, supported by India's growing role as a global rice exporter. In 2020, the market expanded to 683 thousand tons after the government allowed rice to be used for ethanol production, boosting demand from the biofuels sector.

This growth reversed in 2021 as exports of broken rice increased sharply, reducing domestic availability and pulling the market down to 672 thousand tons. Policy interventions in September 2022, including a ban on broken rice exports and a 20% duty on non-basmati rice, curtailed shipments and helped the market recover to 702 thousand tons. The following year, the removal of minimum export prices and duty exemptions for brown rice led to an export surge to 123 thousand tons, contracting the market volume to 627 thousand tons in 2023.

By 2024, India continued to reinforce its position as the world's largest rice exporter, with record production projections and further policy adjustments aimed at boosting brown rice shipments. Global demand for brown rice grew due to its nutritional value, while domestic measures like stock disclosure mandates and the ongoing ethanol blending program continued to shape supply dynamics.

Production brown rice in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India held the fourth position globally in brown rice production.

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, India produced 710.0 K t of brown rice, marking a 6.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in India in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports brown rice from India

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, India's brown rice exports amounted to 27 117 t, representing a dramatic rise of 174.4% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 9 882 t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 7.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from India in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Nepal (24.4% of exports in kind), South Korea (18.8% of exports in kind), and Bangladesh (14.5% of exports in kind) remained the top buyers of brown rice from India, collectively accounting for 57.8% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from India in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Export values fluctuated, with a 3.1-fold gap between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, India exported 10 903 K $ US of brown rice, which is 209.6% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 522 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, at 51.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from India in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea (16.2% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (13.0% of exports in value terms), and Iran (12.5% of exports in value terms) were among the largest buyers of brown rice from India. However, even combined, they represented just 41.7% of total exports in value terms, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from India in value, 2017-2020

Imports brown rice to India

Imports in kind, t

India's brown rice import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 677 t, showing a steep rise of 146.0% over the past year. Between 2018 and 2020, imports grew by 2606%, equating to an annualized rate of 200.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to India in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, virtually all imports in kind of brown rice to India were associated with Spain, which accounted for 99.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to India in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

India's volume of brown rice imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 562 K $ US, reflecting a gain of 143.9% over the past year. Over the period 2018-2020, imports rose by 2273.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 187.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to India in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, brown rice to India was supplied almost exclusively by Spain, which absorbed 99.7% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to India in value, 2017-2020