Despite the logistical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s rice exports (Basmati and Non-Basmati) rose by a massive 87 per cent to 17.72 million tonnes (MT) In 2020-21, from 9.49 MT in 2019-20, according to information provided by the commerce ministry.

India continues to expand its rice exports footprint in the African, Asian and European Union markets, thus having the largest share in global rice trade. The robust global demand also helped India’s growth in rice exports, the official statement said.

In terms of value realisation, India’s rice exports rose by 38 per cent to USD 8815 million in 2020-21 from USD  6397 million reported in 2019-20. In terms of Rupees, India’s rice export grew by 44 per cent to Rs 65298 crore in 2020-21 from Rs 45379 crore in the previous year.

In the first seven months of the current financial year (2021-22), India’s rice exports rose by more than 33 per cent to 11.79 million tonnes from 8.91 million tonnes achieved during April-October, 2020-21. It is anticipated that India’s rice exports in 2021-22 would likely surpass the record feet of 17.72 million tonnes achieved in 2020-21.

In 2020-21, India shipped non-basmati rice to nine countries – Timor-Leste, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Eswatini, Myanmar and Nicaragua, where exports were carried out for the first time or earlier the shipment was smaller in volume.

In terms of volume of Basmati rice exports in 2020-21, top ten countries – Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Kuwait, United Kingdom, Qatar and Oman have a share of close to 80 per cent in total shipments of aromatic long grained rice from India.

In the case of non-Basmati rice in 2020-21, the top ten countries for exports were:  Nepal, Benin, Bangladesh, Senegal, Togo, Cote D Ivoire, Guinea, Malaysia, Iraq, United Arab Emirates – have a share of 57 per cent in India’s total exports of

“India continues to supply rice to the global market thus ensuring food security in many countries while many countries are stockpiling in anticipation of logistical disruption because of COVID19 pandemic,” said Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (APEDA).