Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in India

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, India's semi-milled or wholly milled rice market volume expanded from 97.7 million tons to 101.9 million tons. This growth was supported by government schemes like PM Kisan SAMPADA and PMFME, which funded the modernization of rice mills and encouraged value-added processing. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, demand remained robust due to rice's staple food status and sustained government procurement for the Public Distribution System.

Market volume dipped to 97.2 million tons in 2021, coinciding with the imposition of a 20% export duty on non-basmati rice and bans on broken rice exports to curb domestic price inflation. By 2023, the market recovered strongly to 105.1 million tons, aided by a government reduction of the export duty to 10% and permission for duty-free exports on some categories, which incentivized production. Output reached 121.5 million tons in 2023, supported by over 21,000 fortification-compliant mills, despite production challenges from floods in key states.

In 2024, export policy evolved further with the lifting of bans on non-basmati white rice, subject to a minimum export price of $490 per tonne, aiming to boost farmer incomes and shipment volumes while maintaining domestic market stability.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in India

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

From 2017 to 2020, India held the second position globally in the production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice.

Top producers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, India produced 114.9 million tonnes of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, showing a modest increase of 6.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The smallest change occurred in 2019, with no significant decline recorded.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, India's production volume of semi-milled or wholly milled rice decreased. In 2020, the output was valued at 66 197 million US dollars, marking a decline of 14.1% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 2.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 77 056 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 13.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in India in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from India

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, India's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 12 993 thousand tonnes, representing a 40.5% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 21.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 251 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India's exports in kind were widely distributed across various countries. Iran accounted for 10.6% of exports in kind, Saudi Arabia for 9.8%, and Benin for 7.0%, together making up just 27.4% of total flows. The remaining 72.6% was spread among a diverse range of other destinations.

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, M $ US

In 2020, India's cross-border shipments of semi-milled or wholly milled rice amounted to 7 484 million US dollars, reflecting a year-on-year improvement of 13.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 6 617 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India supplied semi-milled or wholly milled rice to a broad set of markets. Iran accounted for 15.9% of exports in value terms, Saudi Arabia for 14.2%, and Iraq for 7.1%, together representing only 37.3% of total exports in value terms. The remaining 62.7% was composed of many smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to India

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 3.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, India's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice registered 4 thousand tonnes, reflecting a robust decline of 21.1% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 6 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 23.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 244.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated India's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in kind. Sudan accounted for 19.8% of imports in kind, Thailand for 17.7%, and Spain for 8.5%, together taking only 46.0% of total imports in kind. Many smaller partners each contributed modest individual shares to the remainder.

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, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a 6.7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, India imported 3 million US dollars worth of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, reflecting a sharp decrease of 74.5% year-on-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 11 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 158.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Russia, Thailand, and Sudan—together accounted for 65.0% of India's total imports in value terms of semi-milled or wholly milled rice.

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

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