i) Major Rice Exporting Countries: The global trade in rice comprises of around 10% of global production. The statistics about major exporting countries during the last three years, including projected export for 2022-23, and their volume of trade is depicted in the table below:
| Country | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 21.23 | 21 | 22 |
| Thailand | 6.06 | 7 | 7.5 |
| Vietnam | 6.27 | 6.5 | 6.4 |
| Pakistan | 3.92 | 4.35 | 4.60 |
| United States | 2.91 | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| China | 2.4 | 2.25 | 2.4 |
| Myanmar | 1.9 | 2.30 | 2.1 |
| Cambodia | 1.85 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Others | 1.6 | 1.42 | 1.3 |
| Uruguay | 0.7 | 0.82 | 0.85 |
| Paraguay | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.7 |
| Brazil | 0.78 | 0.85 | 0.65 |
| Guyana | 0.4 | 0.44 | 0.45 |
| European Union | 0.41 | 0.44 | 0.42 |
| Argentina | 0.4 | 0.32 | 0.32 |
| Australia | 0.07 | 0.25 | 0.28 |
| Turkey | 0.24 | 0.23 | 0.23 |
| World Total | 51.83 | 52.86 | 54.25 |
Source: USDA
China has continued to dominate world production in rice followed by India as the second largest producer. Asia is the foremost region as far as rice production goes and in the estimated figure for 2022-23 this sub-continue occupies top place with 86.56% share.
ii) Major Rice Importing Countries: During the same period major rice importing countries were as shown in table below:
| Country | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 4.92 | 5.6 | 6 |
| Philippines | 2.9 | 3 | 3 |
| European Union | 1.86 | 2.1 | 2.20 |
| Nigeria | 2.1 | 2.20 | 2.20 |
| Cote d' Ivoire | 1.45 | 1.45 | 1.5 |
| Nepal | 1.24 | 1.35 | 1.4 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Iraq | 1.28 | 1.25 | 1.35 |
| Senegal | 1.25 | 1.25 | 1.25 |
| Iran | 0.87 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Malaysia | 1.15 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| U.S. | 0.97 | 1.12 | 1.2 |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 1.02 |
| Ghana | 1.05 | 0.95 | 1 |
| U.A.E. | 0.75 | 0.9 | 1 |
| Ethiopia | 0.85 | 0.95 | 0.95 |
| Brazil | 0.68 | 0.8 | 0.85 |
| Egypt | 0.32 | 0.8 | 0.85 |
| Mexico | 0.75 | 0.8 | 0.82 |
| Guinea | 0.94 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Mozambique | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.76 |
| Madagascar | 0.56 | 0.7 | 0.75 |
| Mali | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.7 |
| Japan | 0.66 | 0.68 | 0.68 |
| U.K. | 0.6 | 0.65 | 0.66 |
| Indonesia | 0.65 | 0.75 | 0.65 |
| Others | 18.71 | 17.01 | 17.02 |
| Unaccounted | 2.03 | 1.43 | 1.82 |
| World Total | 51.83 | 52.86 | 54.25 |
Source: USDA