Rice Wars: China v India

China is the world's largest producer of rice, with an annual production of approximately 147.691 million metric tonnes for the 2023-2024 period. This vast production largely caters to domestic consumption, with significant amounts also contributing to global supply.

In terms of exports, China exported around 3.2 million metric tonnes of rice in 2022. The primary export destinations include African and Asian countries, where Chinese rice is used to supplement local production and meet demand.

These figures underscore China's crucial role in both global rice production and trade.

India is a significantly larger rice exporter compared to China. As of recent data, India exported around 21.5 million metric tonnes of rice in 2022, making it the world's largest rice exporter. In contrast, China exported approximately 3.2 million metric tonnes of rice in the same period.

India's dominant position in the global rice export market is primarily due to its substantial production of both basmati and non-basmati rice, which are in high demand globally, particularly in Middle Eastern, African, and Southeast Asian markets.

Besides India and China, other major rice-exporting countries include:

1. Thailand: Known for its high-quality jasmine rice, Thailand is a leading rice exporter, with exports around 6-7 million metric tonnes annually.

2. Vietnam: A significant exporter with about 6-6.5 million metric tonnes of rice exported each year, primarily to Asian and African countries.

3. Pakistan: Exports around 4 million metric tonnes annually, with a strong market for its basmati rice.

4. United States: Exports approximately 3 million metric tonnes, with markets in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

5. Myanmar: Exporting about 2-3 million metric tonnes, mainly to China and other Asian countries. 

These countries contribute significantly to the global rice trade, ensuring diverse rice varieties reach international markets.