Basmati Rice Exports Expected to See Significant Growth

10-Oct-2025 06:01 PM

New Delhi. Despite damage to the Basmati rice crop in Punjab and Haryana due to excess rainfall and devastating floods, India's Basmati rice exports are expected to see a significant increase during the current financial year 2025-26,

as production in other states is expected to improve and demand remains strong in major importing countries. Industry and trade believe that India's total Basmati rice production may remain close to last year's level.

According to available data, India's total Basmati rice exports during the first five months of the current financial year, April-August 2025, reached 2.7 million tonnes, a 17 percent increase over shipments during the same period last year.

The President of the All India Rice Exporters Association predicts an 8 percent increase in basmati rice exports in the 2025-26 season compared to the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Shipments increased by approximately 400,000 tons in the first five months of the fiscal year, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming months.

Data from the Union Commerce Ministry shows that approximately 2.3 million tons of basmati rice were exported from the country during April-August 2024.

Total basmati rice exports from India are projected to reach an all-time high of 6.5 million tons during the entire current fiscal year,

from April 2025 to March 2026, compared to approximately 6.07 million tons shipped in 2024-25. Indian exporters are attempting to expand their reach into new markets, including Japan and some southern African countries.