World Rice Production Pegged at 543 MT

24-Nov-2025 08:31 PM

London. Anticipating improved rice yields in major producing and exporting countries, the International Grains Council (IGC) has projected global rice production to reach a peak of 543 million tonnes in the 2025-26 marketing season,

an increase of 2 million tonnes from the 2024-25 production of 541 million tonnes. Previously, global rice production was estimated at 524 million tonnes in the 2023-24 season and 517 million tonnes in the 2022-23 season.

Rice production is projected to be robust in five major exporting countries: India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and the United States.

However, severe floods in Vietnam are reporting damage to the rice crop. This could pose challenges for other exporting countries. The Philippines, the largest buyer of Vietnamese rice, has a rice import ban in place until December 31st.

According to the IGC report, global rice trade was approximately 59 million tons in the 2024-25 season, and this is expected to increase by 2 million tons to 61 million tons in the 2025-26 season.

Previously, global rice trade was estimated at 58 million tons in the 2023-24 season and 52 million tons in 2022-23. Rice imports from some countries in Africa and Asia, and exports from India, are expected to increase.

As far as global rice consumption is concerned, it is expected to reach 539 million tons in the 2025-26 season, significantly higher than the 2024-25 consumption of 532 million tons.

This will result in a widening gap between global rice production and consumption, and a significant increase in outstanding surplus stocks. India is experiencing robust arrivals of new kharif rice crops.