Top 10 Rice Producing Countries In The World

Explore the global landscape of Leading rice producing nations with insights on the Top 10 rice producing countries in the world, Top 10 rice exporting countries in the world and the World’s largest rice producing countries. Delve into the Major rice producers globally that contribute significantly to the global rice industry.

List of Top 10 Countries by Rice Production: The top 10 rice-producing countries in the world are China, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Pakistan, and Brazil. China is the world’s largest producer of rice with 147.691 million tonnes of rice production in the year 2022-2023. Followed by India and Bangladesh as the second and third-highest rice-producing countries with 125.039 and 35.512 million tonnes of annual rice production. In this article, we will look into the list of top ten rice-producing countries along with their contributions to global rice production.

Top 10 Rice Producing Countries In The World

List of Top 10 Rice Producing Countries In The World

The following table lists the top 10 rice producing countries in the world in the year 2023:

Top 10 Rice Exporting Countries In The World
Leading Rice Producing Nations	Annual Production of Rice (Million Tonnes)
China	147.691
India	125.038
Bangladesh	35.511
Indonesia	34.360
Vietnam	27.099
Thailand	19.529
Myanmar	12.530
Philippines	12.249
Pakistan	7.530
Brazil	7.370

First Largest Rice-Producing Country in the World – China

China is the world’s largest producer of rice, meeting both domestic consumption and exports. Its superior position is a result of vast agricultural landscapes and cutting-edge farming technology. Cultivated over 29.87 million hectares (5-year Average; 2018/19 – 2022/23), the country produces 147.691 million tonnes of crop produce annually. China is expected to further strengthen its agricultural supremacy by producing 149 million tons of rice in the 2023–24 season.

• The quantity of rice planted, produced, and harvested for consumption on China’s mainland is known as rice production.
• It is the world’s largest producer of rice, accounting for 30% of the world’s total production, and it plays an important part in the national economy.
• At 6.5 metric tons per hectare, it yields the most rice in all of Asia.
• Although rice is grown throughout the country, it is said to have originated in the areas around the Yangtze River and the Yunnan-Guizhou highlands in southern China.
• The primary rice varieties grown and produced in China are the indica and japonica subspecies, while the wild rice species of O. Mereriana, O. Officinalis, and O. rufipogon comprise the main types planted and produced in China.

Second Largest Rice-Producing Country in the World – India

In terms of rice production, India is closely behind China and has an abundance of rice varieties grown in different parts of the country. India is a major exporter of rice due to its rich soils, pleasant temperature, and traditional cultivation methods. India’s agricultural potential is visible, as proven by its yearly output of 125.039 million tons (5-year average; 2018/19 – 2022/23) over 45.513 million hectares (5-year average; 2018/19 – 2022/23). India is expected to produce 134 million tons of rice in the 2023–24 season, which strengthens the country’s agricultural dominance.

• One of the staple foods in India is rice. Also, the greatest area dedicated to rice farming is in India. One of the top producers of this crop is India.
• The majority of rice farms are located in rain-fed regions with high yearly rainfall.
• In India, it is essentially a kharif crop. It requires at least 25 degrees Celsius as well as more than 100 centimeters (39 in) of rainfall.
• Various techniques can be used to cultivate rice depending on the type of region. However, rice harvesting is still done in India using conventional methods. First, the fields are plowed, then cow manure is usually used as fertilizer. After that, the land is smoothed. The seeds are manually transplanted, and they are subsequently grown with appropriate irrigation.
• In India, the areas that grow this crop are the Terai region, which is located along the foothills of the Himalayas. The western and eastern coastal strips include all of the primary deltas, the Assam plains, and the low hills and foothills around them. It also includes states like Bihar, Odisha, eastern Uttar Pradesh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, and northern Andhra Pradesh.

Third Largest Rice-Producing Country in the World – Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s main diet is primarily rice, and rice farming is a major part of the country’s agricultural economy. The considerable rice production of the nation can be due to its rich deltas and ongoing efforts to upgrade farming methods. Bangladesh shows its agricultural expertise with an annual production of 35.512 million tons (5-year average; 2018/19 – 2022/23) spread across 11.66 million hectares (5-year average; 2018/19 – 2022/23). With an anticipated 37 million tonnes of rice produced in 2023–2024, Bangladesh has the potential to become a major player in the agricultural sector.

• About 75% of Bangladesh’s agricultural land is used for rice production, which also accounts for 28% of the country’s GDP.
• In Bangladesh, rice is cultivated in different ways depending on seasonal variations in water availability. ‘Aman’ is the biggest harvest, taking place in November and December and contributing over half of the total yearly yield.
• The broadcast method is used to sow part of the rice for the ‘Aman’ harvest, which matures during the summer rains and is harvested in the fall.
• The second crop, known as aus, combines classic strains with high-yielding dwarf types more frequently. To prepare for the aus harvest, rice is sown in March or April, grows throughout the summer rains, matures during those months, and is picked in the summer.
• In Bangladesh, it is typical for farms to yield rice for two harvests a year when irrigation is possible. Farmers cultivate vegetables, legumes, peanuts, oilseeds, and pulses if water and fertilizer are available. Also, they make every effort to keep the land from going vacant in between rice-growing seasons.

Fourth Largest Rice-Producing Country in the World – Indonesia

Indonesia enjoys a warm, humid climate that makes it a perfect place to grow rice. With support from the government and a strong agricultural industry, Indonesia is one of the world’s leading producers of rice. Indonesia shows its agricultural ability with a yearly output of 34.36 million tons (5-year average; 2018/19 – 2022/23) spread across 11.53 million hectares (5-year average; 2018/19 – 2022/23). The 2023–24 season’s projected 34.45 million tonnes of rice production further strengthened Indonesia’s position as a major player in agriculture.

• More than half of the average diet’s calories come from rice, which is the main food of Indonesia. In the late 1980s, rice supported roughly 20 million homes or 100 million people.
• Throughout the archipelago, rice was grown on sawah for about 10 million hectares in total.
• Of the entire cultivated area in 1987, 58 percent was made up of irrigated sawah, 20 percent was made up of rainfed sawah, and the remaining 22 percent was made up of ladang, or dryland cultivation, combined with marsh or tidal farming.
• Increased rice yield in Indonesia has also been significantly linked to government irrigation initiatives. Between FY 1969 and FY 1989, irrigation was extended to approximately 1.2 million hectares, and 2.5 million hectares of pre-existing irrigated land were restored.
• To achieve national self-sufficiency in rice production, the government became heavily involved in the rice sector, both to stabilize prices for urban consumers and to increase domestic output.

Fifth Largest Rice-Producing Country in the World – Vietnam

In the world market for rice, Vietnam is a major player. It is well-known for producing superior rice types. Because of its focus on innovative agricultural practices and effective irrigation systems, the nation has established itself as a major supplier of rice. Vietnam shows its agricultural competence with an annual output of 27.10 million tonnes (5-year Average; 2018/19 – 2022/23) grown across 7.30 million hectares (5-year Average; 2018/19 – 2022/23). Vietnam is expected to produce 27 million tons of rice in the 2023–2024 season.

• Vietnam’s national economy and food supply both depend on rice production in the Mekong and Red River deltas.
• Vietnam is the second-biggest exporter in the world (after Thailand) and the seventh-largest consumer of rice globally. It is also one of the wealthiest agricultural regions in the world.
• The Mekong Delta is the country’s rice-producing region’s center, where marketplaces, residences, boats, and water all live together to provide an abundant rice crop.
• The three ecosystems that make up Vietnam’s 33 million hectares of land determine rice cultivation. These are the northern delta (the tropical monsoon area with cold winters), the southern delta (with its Mekong Delta dominating rice coverage), and the northern highlands (with upland rice types). The Mekong Delta has the largest irrigated rice system.
• Rice is referred to as “white gold” in Vietnam and is named after the Sanskrit term “Dhanya,” which means “the sustainer of the human race” in India. There is a folktale in Vietnam that is told over rice.

Sixth Largest Rice-Producing Country in the World – Thailand

Thailand is well-known for its fragrant, high-quality rice varietals, which are in great demand worldwide. The nation’s well-established rice industry and government support make an important contribution to the world’s rice production. Thailand’s agricultural expertise can be seen by its annual output of 19.39 million tons (5-year average; 2018/19 – 2022/23), which is grown over 10.55 million hectares (5-year average; 2018/19 – 2022/23). Also, 19.70 million tonnes of rice are expected to be produced there in the 2023–2024 season.

• Thailand’s economy and workforce are largely based on the cultivation of rice.
• One estimate puts the number of Thais who work in agriculture at 40 million, of which 16 million are rice farmers.
• With a decline in second-crop productivity as a result of floods and drought, the Thai Ministry of Agriculture predicted that paddy production for both the main and second crops would reach 27–28 million metric tons (30–31 million short tons) in the 2019–2020 season.
• Thai society is centered around rice. In Thailand, rice accounts for more than half of both arable land and labor force. Four million of the eight million agricultural households in Thailand grow rice.
• The nation is the birthplace of jasmine (Hom mali), which is still the most widely used aromatic variety.

Seventh Largest Rice-Producing Country in the World – Myanmar

Myanmar is one of the world’s leading producers of rice, due to its rich soil and pleasant weather. Rice production has increased significantly as a result of the nation’s concentrated efforts to boost rice cultivation and improve post-harvest infrastructure. Myanmar shows the strength of its agriculture with an annual output of 12.53 million tonnes (5-year average; 2018/19 – 2022/23) grown across 6.93 million hectares (5-year average; 2018/19 – 2022/23). The 2023–24 season’s anticipated 12.50 million tonnes of rice production.

• Myanmar is the seventh-largest rice producer in the world, with rice production making up over 43% of all agricultural output in the nation.
• 12.8 million of the 67.6 million hectares of land are under agriculture.
• Due to its flexibility to be grown anywhere, rice has long been a staple food in Myanmar.
• British colonialism stimulated the production of rice for economic purposes, which led to an increase in output in the Irrawaddy region around 1824.
• Because of the weather conditions in most of Myanmar, rice production is the main export and drives the country’s economy.
• Rain-fed lowland rice, winter rice, deep-water rice, upland rice, and irrigated rice are all produced differently depending on the environment in which they are grown.

Eighth Largest Rice-Producing Country in the World – Philippines

One of the staple foods in the Philippines is rice. To suit local demand, the nation has continuously maintained an adequate amount of rice output. Raising the country’s rice productivity is a continuing goal of government programs and agricultural changes. The Philippines shows its strength in agriculture with an annual output of 12.243 million tonnes (5-year Average; 2018/19 – 2022/23) grown across 4.75 million hectares (5-year Average; 2018/19 – 2022/23).

• A major component of the Philippines’ economy and food supply is derived from rice cultivation.
• With 2.8% of the world’s rice produced, the Philippines ranks as the eighth-largest producer in the world.
• The most significant food crop and a staple in much of the nation is rice. Particularly in Luzon, Southern Mindanao, Central Mindanao, and the Western Visayas is it produced.
• In the Philippines, there are thought to be 2.4 million rice growers.
• Additionally, the government expanded the country’s irrigation infrastructure significantly. From less than 500,000 hectares in the middle of the 1960s to 1.5 million hectares in 2009, about half of the land that might be irrigated is now under irrigation.

Ninth Largest Rice-Producing Country in the World – Pakistan

Pakistan is one of the world’s leading producers of rice, and it is important because it is one of its main foods. Rice farming is made possible by the varied agroclimatic conditions of the nation, especially in the provinces of Sindh. Pakistan is an outstanding example of its strength in the rice industry, with an annual output of 7.53 million tonnes (5-year Average; 2018/19 – 2022/23) spread across 3.14 million hectares (5-year Average; 2018/19 – 2022/23). In addition, 9 million tons of rice are anticipated to be produced in the nation in 2023–2024.

• Pakistan is one of the top producers of rice and commands a large share of the world market for the grain.
• With its major contribution to agricultural exports and ability to support a large proportion of the people, the rice industry is essential to the nation’s economy.
• More than 8 percent of the global rice trade is comprised of exports from Pakistan. It is a significant crop for Pakistan’s agricultural economy.
• The most renowned and established brand of Guard Agricultural Research and Services Limited is Guard Basmati Rice. This private sector company was the first in Pakistan to have its facility dedicated to rice research and development (R&D).

Tenth Largest Rice-Producing Country in the World – Brazil

Brazil holds an important place in the global rice industry due to its vast agricultural lands and ideal weather. Although the nation’s main agricultural concentration is on other crops, its rice production is yet impressive. Brazil is a great example of its strength in the rice industry, with an annual production of 7.37 million tonnes (5-year Average; 2018/19 – 2022/23) grown across 1.63 million hectares (5-year Average; 2018/19 – 2022/23). 6.8 million tons of rice are expected to be produced there in the 2023–2024 season.

The United States Department of Agriculture reports that the rice crop in Brazil, estimated to be roughly 7.2 million tons or 22700 thousand hectares in 2022, is harvested in the southern states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, which span 12,500 km2 and have subtropical climates.

Top Rice Producing Countries In Asia

This table highlights the diversity and scale of rice production across Asia, showcasing the importance of this staple crop to the economies and cultures of these countries.

Biggest Rice Producers In 2024
Rank	Country	Rice Production (Million Metric Tons)	Notable Regions for Rice Production
1	China	211.4	Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta
2	India	157.2	West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab
3	Indonesia	54.6	Java, Sumatra
4	Bangladesh	54.0	Dhaka, Sylhet
5	Vietnam	42.8	Mekong Delta, Red River Delta
6	Thailand	31.2	Central Plains, Northeastern Region
7	Myanmar	26.0	Ayeyarwady Delta
8	Philippines	19.0	Central Luzon, Western Visayas
9	Japan	7.9	Niigata, Shikoku
10	Pakistan	7.4	Punjab, Sindh

Summary – World’s Largest Rice Producing Countries

To sum up, rice is without a doubt an essential crop for feeding the world’s expanding population. The top ten rice-producing countries are essential to maintaining food security worldwide. This essential staple food is available in many parts of the world due to their steady productivity, innovative agricultural methods, and sustainable farming techniques. These Major rice producers globally continue to lead the world in rice production as the demand for the grain grows. Their impact on the future of the world’s food systems is significant.

Major Rice Producers Globally – FAQs

What is the Rank of India in rice production?

India holds the second position globally in terms of rice production. The world’s largest producer of rice is China. It needs temperatures of about 25 degrees Celsius and more than 100 centimeters of precipitation to be a staple meal in the eastern and southern parts of India.

Who is 1st rank in rice production in world?

China is the country that produces the greatest quantity of rice globally. It is also the first country to successfully cultivate rice, which is a hybrid of two different plant species.

Who produces more rice India or China?

More than 148 million metric tons of milled rice were produced in China during the 2021–2022 crop year—more than any other nation. With more than 129 million metric tons of milled rice produced in that crop year, India ranked second.

Why is India banning rice export?

The government said that the action was taken to help assure rice availability and decrease costs in India. Parboiled rice—rice that has been partially cooked—and basmati rice are still permitted for export.

Why China is buying rice from India?

Rice constitutes the basic diet for two-thirds of the Chinese population. But the nation’s rice supply is running low, therefore they are looking to India to supply the need. The findings came with increasing political tensions between the two neighbors over the previous year as a result of border issues.

Who are the top 10 rice producing countries in the world as of the latest data?

The list typically includes China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Brazil, and Pakistan, with China and India leading the production.

What makes China the largest rice producer in the world?

China’s leading position is due to its vast agricultural land, favorable climate, advanced farming techniques, and the significant role of rice in its cuisine and culture.

How does India’s rice production compare to China?

India closely follows China in rice production, with extensive cultivation areas, diverse rice varieties, and significant contributions to both domestic consumption and global exports.

What are the common factors among the top rice-producing countries?

Common factors include favorable climatic conditions for rice cultivation, large agricultural lands dedicated to rice, and the importance of rice as a staple food in their diets.

Which country has shown the most significant growth in rice production recently?

Countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh have shown significant growth due to improvements in agricultural practices, high-yield varieties, and government support.

How do rice production trends impact global food security?

Rice production trends are crucial for global food security, especially in Asia and Africa, where rice is a primary food source. Increases in production help stabilize food prices and ensure availability.

What challenges do rice-producing countries face?

Challenges include climate change, water scarcity, pests and diseases, and the need for sustainable farming practices to protect the environment while increasing yield.

Are there any new technologies impacting rice production in these countries?

Yes, technologies like precision agriculture, genetically modified crops for higher yield and disease resistance, and efficient water management systems are positively impacting rice production.

How do rice production levels affect international trade?

High production levels in countries like India and Thailand contribute significantly to the global rice trade, affecting international prices and trade policies.

What role does government policy play in rice production in these countries?

Government policies, including subsidies, research and development funding, and export-import regulations, play a crucial role in supporting rice production and ensuring food security.