Top Rice Producing Countries

Asian Nations Generate over 90% of World Rice Production

Apr 12, 2008 Daniel Workman

As rice prices soar on world markets, major Asian rice producers like China and India are looking at a rice to riches scenario.

More than half of the world’s population depends on rice as a staple food. As of April 2008, the price of rice has doubled, putting pressure on lower-producing nations like the Philippines, which imports about 15% of its rice supplies.

In international trade, countries that are high producers of rice have a strong competitive advantage given the current shortage. In contrast, lower producers have much less control on their imports when the world’s largest rice exporters cut sales to ensure they can feed their own people.

Rice Production by Continent

Based on 2006 statistics, the following list shows that Asian countries enjoy a prohibitive lead in farming rice.

1. Asia … 574.2 million tons (91% of global rice harvest)

2. South America … 22.6 million tons (3.6%)

3. Africa … 20 million tons (3%)

4. North America … 11.1 million tons (1.8%)

5. Europe … 3.4 million tons (1%)

In addition, Oceania farms 148,000 tons of rice.

Top Ten Rice Producers by Country

Together, China and India accounted for over half of the world’s rice supply in 2006.

1. China … 182 million tons (28.8% of global rice harvest)

2. India … 136.5 million tons (21.6%)

3. Indonesia … 54.4 million tons (8.6%)

4. Bangladesh … 43.7 million tons (6.9%)

5. Vietnam … 35.8 million tons (5.7%)

6. Thailand … 29.3 million tons (4.6%)

7. Myanamar … 25.2 million tons (4%)

8. Philippines … 15.3 million tons (2.4%)

9. Brazil … 11.5 million tons (1.8%)

10. Japan … 10.7 million tons (1.7%).

Other Leading Rice Farming Nations

11. United States … 8.8 million tons (1.4% of global rice harvest)

12. Pakistan … 8.1 million tons (1.3%)

13. Korea Rep … 6.3 million tons (1%)

14. Cambodia … 6.3 million tons (1%)

15. Egypt … 6.1 million tons (1%)

16. Nepal … 4.2 million tons (0.7%)

17. Nigeria … 3.6 million tons (0.6%)

18. Iran … 3.5 million tons (0.6%)

19. Madagascar … 3.5 million tons (0.6%)

20. Sri Lanka … 3.3 million tons (0.5%)

21. Laos … 2.7 million tons (0.4%)

22. Colombia … 2.5 million tons (0.4%)

23. Korea DPR … 2.5 million tons (0.4%)

24. Peru … 2.5 million tons (0.4%)

25. Malaysia … 2.2 million tons (0.3%).

Fastest Growing Rice Producers

Indonesia and Bangladesh experienced the fastest growth in rice production during 2006, up 8.6% and 6.9% respectively from 2005.

Producers with Declining Rice Crops

American rice production was down over 13% in 2006 from the prior year. In 2008, U.S. rice seedings are down further due to flooding in rice-growing regions.

Similarly, Brazil’s rice harvest in 2006 was almost 13% lower than rice production than in 2005.

References for this Article

This article presents independent calculations and insights based on statistics published on the International Rice Research Institute’s website.

For a list of source materials complete with links to the most current information on country-specific GDP, trade partners, imports and exports, check back to this website often.

The copyright of the article Top Rice Producing Countries in International Trade is owned by Daniel Workman. Permission to republish Top Rice Producing Countries in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Rice field in Vietnam

Comments

May 5, 2008 5:54 PM

Guest :

Since rice in the main diet in Asain countries, China and India have potential gold mine on their hands, and could become as rich as Arabic countries with their monopoly on oil.

May 10, 2008 12:55 PM

Guest :

Go Vietnam!!! That's my country!!! WAY TO GO!!! WHOO!!!!!!!!!!

Jan 9, 2009 11:41 AM

Guest :

Thank you so much to all the people in Asia who work so hard to produce the best food on earth. I love rice with everything! It is the perfect food. God Bless you all-

3 Comments