New Delhi, October 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India, the world’s largest rice exporter, accounts for around 40 per cent of global rice exports and plays a crucial role in supporting food security across importing nations, industry leaders and agricultural experts said on Saturday.
Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the Bharat International Rice Conference 2026 in New Delhi, Tarun Bajaj, General Manager at the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce, said the conference was steadily emerging as one of the world’s largest events dedicated to the rice sector.
“India holds about 40 per cent share in global rice exports and is the undisputed leader. It is important to have such a platform in India where people from the entire value chain—from farmer to consumer—can sit together and discuss challenges and solutions,” Bajaj said.
He identified logistics as the biggest challenge facing the sector, noting that tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea had disrupted vessel movements, extended shipping times, increased insurance costs and pushed up freight charges.
Despite these difficulties, coordinated efforts by the Central and state governments, along with industry stakeholders, were helping maintain the smooth flow of exports, he said.
Bajaj emphasised that rice was not merely a commercial commodity but a critical component of food security for several countries. He said India was balancing domestic requirements with the needs of importing nations.
Dr Rajiv Kumar, Executive Director of the Rice Exporters Association, said India’s position in the global rice market remained strong, with its export share exceeding the combined share of the second, third and fourth-largest exporters.
However, he also identified logistics costs as a major obstacle. Unlike competitors such as Thailand and Vietnam, which rely more heavily on waterways, India depends largely on road transport, adding to its transportation expenses.
Kumar called for greater emphasis on cultivating rice varieties with stronger international demand to improve export returns. He added that government support had helped India sustain a global market share of around 35–40 per cent over several years.
Prashant Raizada, Partner at EY (Ernst & Young LLP), described the conference as a major platform for the rice industry, providing opportunities for senior experts, exporters and policymakers to exchange ideas and discuss emerging challenges.
Rajesh Paharia Jain, Chief Manager at KRIBHCO Agri, said participation had increased compared with the previous year, bringing together stakeholders from across the value chain, including bag manufacturers, surveyors, customs house agents, farmers and exporters.
Addressing concerns over weather-related challenges and a possible decline in crop output, Jain said India had adequate buffer stocks of approximately 5.5–6 crore tonnes through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), helping maintain a secure supply position.
Hansa Singh Rakya, Founder of Agriguru Online, highlighted the growing importance of technology in international rice trading. She said her company had developed an AI-based market intelligence platform that provides real-time prices, freight costs, trade regulations, global developments and market information to buyers and sellers.
She said such tools were increasingly important amid geopolitical tensions and changing trade policies.
Dr Pankaj Jaimini, Managing Director of Eurofins Analytical Services India, said the conference had brought together buyers, exporters, testing laboratories and research institutions to discuss challenges and future priorities for the industry.
Purvi Shah, Head of SGS Food Testing Services, said such gatherings could help facilitate international trade by enabling buyer-seller interactions and improving awareness of evolving global requirements. Better information-sharing, she noted, could help reduce customs-related and quality-related rejections.
The discussions highlighted the importance of improving logistics, adopting technology, meeting international quality standards and strengthening cooperation across the rice value chain as India continues to play a major role in global food supplies.
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