Rice is among the largest crop industries in the world, and many exporters contribute. Massive demands in countries like China, India, Pakistan, Japan, Bangladesh, and the vicinity make rice imports high worldwide. Therefore, the list in 2025 remains similar to the previous ones since some countries have a stronghold in this sector.
Global rice output is projected to be nearly 540 million tons in 2025. This is no surprise because rice consumption is huge around the world. Due to leading producers like India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Cambodia, over 60% of the output comes only from Asia. Therefore, if we look at global competition, most exporters are from these countries.
Graph source: The Business Research Company
The right supplier can offer a combination of quality, legal compliance, affordable price, and timely service. All these factors come under the umbrella of a reputable supplier. If you choose such a supplier, these facilities and benefits will be waiting for you. Moreover, logistics support and timely updates play a key role in overseas trade.
Lots of things have to be considered when selecting a rice exporter. Since rice is among the most consumable products worldwide, its quality is the primary consideration. Likewise, these factors should be considered when selecting a rice exporter.
Look for an exporter with frequent supply and massive quantities of rice. That means you will have to find an exporter that is well-known as a leading exporter. Usually, millions of tons of rice are exported by exporters, and those with the largest share in the industry are trusted more.
Some top rice-exporting countries have specific terms for premium-quality rice. Some call it Basmati rice, Jasmine rice, and ST25 rice. The country you will choose for export must have some specific terms for premium quality. When selecting an exporter, you must deal with them in their local terms. For instance, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have the term Basmati for premium rice. Vietnamese exporters use the term ST25, and Thai exporters use Jasmine rice. When you choose an exporter, you will find similar subterms in their portfolio.
Supply chain efficiency is an important factor to consider. Every perishable item has a shelf life, and delays can cause severe damage. When choosing an exporter, you must consider supply chain efficiency in terms of shipping duration and costs.
Bulk pricing is the most common element in B2B trade. When selecting a rice exporter, you must ask for bulk rates, including supply chain costs. The quality, quantity, and secondary services will be included in the price selection process.
This part can not be skipped since ethical and environmental compliance is mandatory. The use of chemicals, labor rights, farming methods, and environmental impact will be part of the exporter selection process. You need to ask about all these factors to avoid any legal and health problems later.
Some countries are rich in agricultural land, especially for rice production. Most countries are in Asia, and because of that, most exporters are from this continent. Here are some of the top rice suppliers in the world.
The biggest exporter is India because of its rich, fertile land. It rules the global rice industry with nearly USD 10.7 billion in rice exports. Some of its top exporters are LT Foods and KRBL, which operate under various rice brand names. Since India is known for its premium rice quality, basmati rice, many importers rely entirely on it. Its massive production fulfills enormous domestic and international demands. Basmati rice is exported in many different types depending on the buyers' quality.
Then comes China, which has around USD 1.03 billion in worldwide rice exports. Quite a lot of suppliers exist in China that deal globally; some of the names are AIFE Global and COFCO. You will find many state-owned rice exporters that lead the Chinese market. Moreover, countless exporters are available on B2B websites like MadeInChina.com and Alibaba.com. Chinese rice is known for its long grain and aroma. A huge domestic market relies on them because of dishes like steamed, fried, fermented, etc. The domestic market and the international market get massive supplies from China.
A country like Vietnam has tremendous rice exports of nearly USD 2.5 billion, which shows a huge share of Vietnamese rice in the global market. Since Vietnamese culture resembles that of its surrounding countries, domestic rice consumption explains that. There are many exporters in the Vietnamese market, one of them being Tan Thanh An Co., Ltd.
Then you have Pakistan, which has around USD 2.3 billion in rice exports in the global market. The quality of rice is similar to Indian rice since Pakistani rice is also famous for its aroma and long grain. The premium quality is also known as Basmati rice in Pakistan. Besides, many varieties meet domestic and international demands. Kohinoor Foods Limited, Garibsons Pvt. Ltd., Matco Foods Ltd., and Guard Basmati Rice dominate Pakistani rice exports. Famous dishes like biryani, pulao(pulav), kheer, and boiled rice are the reasons for huge domestic consumption and global demand.
A North American exporter is rare in this list, and that one is the US. With nearly USD 1.7 billion in exports, the US comes fifth in the list of top rice exporters. Since the domestic demands are high, US rice production has to fulfill them. Riviana Foods (Mahatma Rice) is one of the leading exporters there. Moreover, SunWest Foods, along with other names, is in the competition. What makes their rice famous is the long grains and extra-long grains.
Another Asian exporter with around USD 3.9 billion in exports, Thailand, is a prominent name in the global competition. What makes it a massive exporter is its famous Jasmine rice. Because of its aroma and texture, jasmine rice is in high demand in China. China mainly imports it, and the rest of the global buyers also contribute. Wonnapob Company Limited and Thai Rice and Food Co., Ltd. are some of the reliable names on the Thai rice exporters’ list.
Brazil is the last and only exporter from the South American continent. Around USD 0.65 million in exports contributes to the global rice market share. Its rice is famous for its long-grain and short-grain types. Even the texture is fluffy, which is something both domestic and international markets like. Tio João, Camil Rice, and SLC Agrícola are the prominent rice exporters in Brazil. Usually, Mexico, South America, and a few other African countries prefer Brazilian rice.
The global trade of rice is affected by many factors, including rules and regulations, political events, and economic challenges. Therefore, buyers must conduct a PESTLE analysis before selecting a rice exporter.
A recent change in India’s policy regarding the export cap of rice slashed global prices by around 20%. Such policies affect overall competition, and buyers like to choose exporters with lower prices. Market leaders like Indian exporters gain an advantage through such policies to retain their power in global competition.
Countries that use advanced technologies and farming methods certainly benefit from long-run competition. This helps them reduce waste and flaws in the production process, which results in better quality.
Forecasting is a major part of business, and the rice industry relies on it. Farming and weather challenges are the primary factors, while global challenges also occur. Salination and ground-related problems are some of the major threats that exporters need to forecast in advance. Moreover, previous deficits and surpluses are balanced through various techniques.
Sustainable farming is receiving more attention than before. There are many reasons for this, and the most important one is energy sources. Every industry is shifting to sustainable energy, which is mainly supported by solar and wind power. These abundant resources lead to better results at a low cost. Moreover, ethical sourcing includes using safe chemicals and methods, as well as human resource legal issues in farming.
In detail, harsh chemicals and poor disposal techniques can cause serious environmental impacts. These impacts affect the health of crops, farmers, consumers, and animals. Likewise, emissions from farming machines need to be reduced to tackle environmental challenges. Selecting an exporter also requires this factor to be considered.
Exporters that contribute to CSR have a better brand image in the market, a factor that plays a vital role in the exporter selection process.
If you want to go ahead with the supplier selection process, there are a few elements that you should look at. They will filter all the irrelevant results to help you find the top rice exporters.
Rice and farming quality need to comply with global standards. Each factor matters in the QA process. Ask your finalized exporter for rice samples to conduct laboratory tests regarding the safety procedure. Moreover, rice quality will be analyzed through custom documents that show the kind of agricultural processes used. Requesting mill test certificates (MTCs) and conducting blind sensory evaluations are some examples. Likewise, laboratory moisture/protein analysis is a part of it.
After you have gone through all the processes, it is time to sign the contract. This includes price negotiation and documentation. These processes help fix the price in the rice trade on a global level. The contract also consists of price ceilings and floor factors that will prevent the exporters from making any changes during the transit.
Lastly, you must ensure the exporter complies with the logistics rules and regulations for each operation. The rice shipment will not face any legal issues during the clearance process. Shipping options like FCL/LCL, INS inspection, and various elements must be ensured for uninterrupted logistics operations.
Asia is the leading continent in rice exporters, including India, China, Thailand, Pakistan, and other top countries. Over 60% of rice exports are done only by these countries, and the reason is the quality they offer. Besides, the US and Brazil are non-Asian exporters that contribute substantially to the rice market. Due to high domestic and international demands, India, China, and the rest must contribute the most to the industry. Besides, selecting a global rice exporter is no less than a challenge unless you follow a proper channel.
Rice is among the largest crop industries in the world, and many exporters contribute. Massive demands in countries like China, India, Pakistan, Ja...
READ FULL