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Global consumption of rice has seen an increase over the last several years. In the 2024/25 crop year, about * million metric tons of rice were consumed worldwide, up from * million metric tons in the 2000/01 crop year. In 2025/26, rice consumption was forecast to further increase to * million metric tons.

Rice cultivation

Rice requires specific growing conditions to be successfully cultivated. It must be grown in a flooded field in several inches of water. Once the unprocessed rice is harvested, it is known as paddy rice. In 2023, China produced about *** million metric tons of paddy rice, making that country the top producer of paddy rice worldwide. India had the largest harvest area of rice in the 2025/26 crop year, at ** million hectares, while China harvested ** million hectares of rice in that year.

Rice trade worldwide

In addition to having the largest harvest area of rice, India also was the top exporter of rice in the 2025/2026 marketing year. During that time period, India exported ** million metric tons of rice. Despite being the top producer of rice worldwide, China’s consumption of rice cannot be satisfied by domestic production. China was also among the top five importer of rice of any country in the world, at two million metric tons of rice.