India Well-Positioned to Become Global Rice Trade Hub, Says IREF President

Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global shipping and trade resulting from conflicts in the Middle East, the Red Sea, and the Russia-Ukraine war, India is well-positioned to emerge as a strong and reliable hub for the global rice industry.

This assessment was shared by Prem Garg, President of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF), while addressing the Bharat India Rice Conference 2026. Garg pointed out that ongoing international conflicts have created severe concerns regarding food security, while affecting global shipping, trade, freight costs, and delivery timelines.

"At a time like this, we believe India can be a strong and reliable meeting place for the world rice industry. We want to build India into a global hub for rice trade where people from every country can meet, discuss problems and find solution together," Garg said during the conference.

Highlighting India's current standing in the international market, Garg noted that the country produced approximately 154 million tonnes of rice during the 2025-26 period. Total rice exports from the country were valued at around $12 billion, with India accounting for nearly 40 percent of the global rice trade, reinforcing its crucial role in international food supply chains.

However, Garg also drew attention to a structural challenge within the sector, noting that while large established exporters have pre-existing global buyers and markets, smaller players face distinct hurdles. "Many small exporters, startups, and young business people do not get the same chances. They have good products and big dreams, but they may not know how to reach international buyers," he said.

Supporting smaller enterprises and startups remains a core objective for the federation, according to Garg, who noted that every major exporter started as a small business. IREF aims to bring international buyers directly to India so that new or smaller exporters can build trust and establish business connections under one roof.

The federation's broader goals include improving profitability across the rice industry, promoting healthy, high-quality, and value-added rice products, and facilitating secure trade between buyers and sellers with reduced risks.

"India's substantial production and massive share in the global rice market provide a strong foundation for international trade. However, the true economic potential lies in bridging the gap for smaller businesses and startups in the agri-tech and export sectors. By creating structured platforms that connect young entrepreneurs directly with global buyers, the ecosystem can unlock new revenue streams and foster grassroots entrepreneurship in traditional industries." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes