India’s rice exports surge to near-record highs after export curbs lifted

India’s rice exports rebounded sharply last year after New Delhi lifted export restrictions, rising nearly 20% to the second-highest level on record. The surge strengthened India’s position as the world’s largest rice exporter, reshaped global trade flows, and pushed Asian prices to their lowest level in almost a decade.

India’s rice exports rose 19.4% last year to the second-highest level on record after the government lifted all export curbs, making shipments more competitive, according to government and industry officials.

The improved flow of rice from the world’s largest exporter curbed shipments from rival suppliers such as Thailand and Vietnam and pushed Asian rice prices to their lowest level in nearly a decade. The decline in prices helped ease food costs for consumers in Africa and other import-dependent regions.

Government officials said exports rebounded quickly after New Delhi lifted export restrictions in March, supported by record domestic production. As supplies improved, India removed the final export curbs that had been imposed during 2022 and 2023.

Total rice exports climbed to 21.55 million metric tonnes from 18.05 million tonnes in 2024, nearing the record high of 22.3 million tonnes achieved in 2022, officials said. Non-basmati rice exports saw the strongest growth, rising 25% to 15.15 million tonnes. Basmati rice shipments increased 8% to a record 6.4 million tonnes, according to government data.

Officials said non-basmati rice exports rose sharply to countries such as Bangladesh, Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Djibouti. At the same time, imports of premium basmati rice increased in markets including Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Britain during the year. India typically exports more rice than the combined shipments of the world’s next three largest exporters – Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan—underscoring its dominant position in global rice trade.

Industry executives said Indian rice remained highly competitive compared with supplies from other exporting countries, with lower prices helping India regain lost market share, particularly after the removal of export restrictions.