Rice Exports in India

Crops such as rice, wheat, barley, potatoes and maize all contribute towards the daily diets of people across the world. Due to the continuing insurgence in the agricultural industry and developments in the international trade sector, agriculture as a commodity has expanded to a global scale compared to regional availability in the past. Despite global competition, India retains the title for the largest rice exporter in the world. For the rest of the blog, I will explore the reasons behind India’s success in the rice industry.

Basmati Rice, a renowned variety of rice in India and by far the most popular variety, constitutes for 57% of all Indian rice exports. Roughly 3.5 billion USD of Basmati Rice was exported out of India in the year 2022 (“India: Value of Rice Exports by Type 2022”). A multitude of exclusive characteristics in Basmati Rice contribute to its global popularity.

Fibres in Basmati Rice are uniquely soluble, connections have been made between this attribute and a reduction in heart rate risk (WebMD). Aside from this, Basmati rice is rich in manganese and selenium, both exhibiting anti oxidising properties (PlantBasedFAQ’s.com).

Subjectively speaking, Basmati Rice is tastier compared to non-basmati rice varieties. The nutty aftertaste of Basmati Rice seems to compliment dishes of Indian and South East Asian cuisine. The aroma and texture of Basmati Rice has been complimented by multiple critics as well. A fluffy texture and spicy aroma contribute towards its general favouritism.

Aside from health benefits and taste, Basmati rice’s production and distribution aids with India’s title. India and Pakistan are the only countries that source and export Basmati rice in the world. In India, northern states including J & K, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh are home to Basmati fields (“APEDA”). Due to the local production of Basmati Rice, prices are relatively low in India. The ample amount of rice in India paired with low local prices allows the rice market in India to flourish (“Reuters”).

Rice has been a major part of Indian culture and cuisine for millennia. Facilities required to grow rice therefore have been installed for millennia. As international trade develops and the world globalises, industries such as agriculture surge in profits. India has seen great benefit from this with a part of its economy dependent on the rice industry.

While trends show possible declines in India’s rice market, it cannot be denied that India holds exclusivity in the rice market, 40% of all rice sourced in the world is imported from India (“Jacob”). Atreyee Impex is one such organisation exporting rice and other crops/spices.

Bibliography:

“Basmati Rice.” Apeda.gov.in, apeda.gov.in/apedawebsite/SubHead_Products/Basmati_Rice.htm#:~:text=The%20areas%20of%20Basmati%20Rice.

Contributors, WebMD Editorial. “Health Benefits of Basmati Rice.” WebMD, 1 Sept. 2022, www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-basmati-rice#:~:text=The%20fiber%20in%20basmati%20rice.

“India: Value of Rice Exports by Type 2021.” Statista, www.statista.com/statistics/652163/export-value-of-rice-by-type-india/.

Jacob, Charmaine. “India’s Rice Export Ban: The Asian Countries Set to Be Hit Hard — and Those That’ll Profit.” CNBC, 19 Sept. 2022, www.cnbc.com/2022/09/19/philippines-indonesia-countries-most-vulnerable-to-indias-rice-export-ban-nomura.html#:~:text=India%20accounts%20for%20approximately%2040. Accessed 7 Jan. 2023.

PlantBasedFAQs.com. “16 Basmati Rice Benefits You Need to Stop Ignoring.” PlantBasedFAQs.com | Learn about Plant-Based Foods, 18 Feb. 2022, plantbasedfaqs.com/basmati-rice-benefits/. Accessed 7 Jan. 2023.

Reuters. “Why India Holds the Key to Global Rice Market Outlook.” The Economic Times, 10 June 2022, economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/why-india-holds-the-key-to-global-rice-market-outlook/articleshow/92122332.cms?from=mdr. Accessed 7 Jan. 2023.