Rice Exports by Country 2024

The world produces a staggering 480 million metric tons of rice annually, making it a staple food for half of the global population. The dynamics of rice production and export are diverse, with several countries playing key roles in the international market.

India stands as the top rice exporter, producing 20.5 million tonnes annually and accounting for 40% of global rice exports. Vietnam has recently ascended to the position of the second-largest rice exporter, delivering 5.9 tonnes each year to 160 countries.

Thailand, once the leading rice exporter, now exports 7.69 tonnes annually. Its rice reaches various destinations including Iraq, South Africa, China, the United States, and Indonesia. Pakistan, the third-largest exporter and the tenth-largest producer, exports 3.6 million tonnes, comprising 8% of the world's rice exports.

The United States, the leading rice exporter outside Asia, ships 2.1 million tonnes globally, representing 5% of the world's rice exports. Major recipients include Mexico, Haiti, Japan, Canada, and South Korea.

South Korea's annual rice exports amount to $18.8 million, primarily to Yemen, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Laos. Cote d'Ivoire, ranking sixth globally, exports mainly to the Netherlands, the United States, Vietnam, Switzerland, and Malaysia.

Myanmar contributes over 2 million metric tons to the global rice market annually, with China, the Philippines, and Belgium being its largest buyers. Puerto Rico, a significant producer and exporter within the United States, is known for consuming the most long-grain rice in the world.

The rice exporting industry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been declining, with exports totaling $1.7 million in 2021. Ghana, on the other hand, exports rice worth $216k annually while importing $552 million. The main destinations for Ghanaian rice include the US, United Kingdom, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Ireland, and France. This global perspective on rice production and export underscores the crop's vital role in feeding the world's population and shaping international trade.