India's rice exports to 26 priority markets exceeded their three-year average in the five months following the 2025 Bharat International Rice Conference, according to an analysis by the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) cited by PTI. The 26-market basket totalled ₹23,476 crore and 4.79 million tonnes between November 2025 and March 2026, covering Basmati and non-Basmati rice, based on Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics data.
Exports beat three-year average
According to IREF's analysis, export value was 1.1 per cent above the average for the corresponding November-March period in the previous three years, while volume was 5.6 per cent higher. Eleven of the 26 markets recorded year-on-year growth in both value and volume. The results come as India seeks to broaden its rice export base amid substantial domestic availability, shifting the focus from simply finding markets for more grain to identifying specific varieties that can compete on suitability, consistency and culinary performance, PTI reported.
Market-by-market gains
The strongest gains were recorded in the UAE, where rice export value rose 65 per cent year on year to ₹3,859.04 crore and volumes increased 64 per cent. Belgium followed with a 53.8 per cent rise in value and 44.5 per cent growth in volume, while Germany posted gains of 33.5 per cent and 24.6 per cent, respectively. France saw export value rise 31.3 per cent and volume 32.9 per cent, while shipments to the UK increased 26.9 per cent in value and 25.6 per cent in volume.
| Market | Value growth (% YoY) | Volume growth (% YoY) |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | 65.0 | 64.0 |
| Belgium | 53.8 | 44.5 |
| Germany | 33.5 | 24.6 |
| France | 31.3 | 32.9 |
| UK | 26.9 | 25.6 |
| South Africa | 26.0 | 42.9 |
| Kenya | 22.3 | 34.1 |
| Mexico | 22.1 | 50.9 |
| Netherlands | 20.5 | 13.8 |
| Canada | 10.2 | 9.1 |
| Senegal | 5.3 | 29.9 |
Growth was also strong across several African and other emerging markets. South Africa's export value rose 26 per cent, with volumes up 42.9 per cent, while Kenya recorded increases of 22.3 per cent and 34.1 per cent. Mexico posted 22.1 per cent growth in export value and 50.9 per cent in volume. Exports to the Netherlands rose 20.5 per cent in value and 13.8 per cent in volume, Canada recorded gains of 10.2 per cent and 9.1 per cent, and Senegal saw a 5.3 per cent increase in value but a 29.9 per cent jump in volume.
Volume growth versus value growth
The trade data highlights why export growth cannot be judged by volume alone, according to PTI. In Mexico, shipments increased 50.9 per cent while export value rose 22.1 per cent. Kenya and South Africa likewise recorded substantially faster volume than value growth, underscoring differences in pricing, product mix and demand across markets. That is driving a more targeted approach by the industry: rather than positioning rice solely as a commodity, exporters are seeking to demonstrate how individual Indian varieties can perform in dishes already familiar to consumers in potential destination markets.
Culinary pairing strategy expands at BIRC 2026
The strategy will be expanded at the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026, scheduled for October 23-25 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. ITC Hotels will curate a Global Rice Festival featuring 24 international dishes and 10 regional Indian biryanis, with varieties selected according to characteristics including aroma, texture, starch content, grain length and absorption.
Planned pairings include:
- UAE Machboos with Kalajeera
- Italian Risotto Milanese with Gobindobhog
- Nigerian Jollof Rice with Sona Masuri
- Spanish Paella Valenciana with Mushk Budji
- Chinese Yangzhou Fried Rice with Jeerakasala
- Louisiana Jambalaya with Chak Hao
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