India’s Rice Exports Remain Strong Despite U.S. Tariff Threat
10-Dec-2025 08:11 AM
India’s Rice Exports Remain Strong Despite U.S. Tariff Threat
★ Indian exporters remain unconcerned even after the United States warned of increasing tariffs. In the first seven months of FY26, rice exports (basmati + non-basmati) rose 5.51% to $6.51 billion, estimated at 14–15 million tonnes. In FY25, total exports had reached a record $12.47 billion and around 20–22 million tonnes.
★ In 2024–25, India exported $392 million worth of rice to the U.S., of which 86% was basmati.
★ India’s total annual basmati exports stand at around 6 million tonnes, with the U.S. accounting for less than 3%. India’s total rice shipments (basmati + non-basmati) to the U.S. are estimated at 200,000–250,000 tonnes, which is less than 1% of India’s overall rice exports.
★ Exporters say the U.S. market is small, so the tariff impact will remain limited. India also has strong alternative markets such as the Gulf countries and African nations.
★ India is the world’s largest rice exporter, supplying to over 150 countries—with Iran, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia being major basmati markets, while demand in Africa is rising rapidly.