New Delhi, Aug 31: India’s rice export industry is attracting growing interest from international markets, with more than 3,300 buyers from 138 countries registering for the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026.
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The strong response, recorded well ahead of the conference, points to expanding opportunities for Indian rice exporters to reach new destinations, build long-term business relationships and strengthen the country’s position in the global rice trade.
BIRC 2026 will be held from October 23 to 25 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, bringing together international buyers, Indian exporters, rice millers, policymakers, technology companies and other stakeholders from across the industry.
Bangladesh has registered the largest number of buyers at 336, followed by Benin with 179 and Nigeria with 177. The UAE has recorded 145 registrations, while Nepal and the Philippines have 137 each. Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia have registered 127 and 125 buyers, respectively.
The broad participation from Africa, the Gulf, Southeast Asia and neighbouring countries is particularly important for India’s export strategy. Expanding into more markets could help exporters diversify their customer base while reducing excessive dependence on individual destinations.
The increased global engagement could also have a wider economic impact. Higher rice exports can support farmers, rice mills, packaging units, transport operators, warehouses and logistics companies, creating activity across the agricultural supply chain and contributing to foreign-exchange earnings.
A major focus of BIRC 2026 will be connecting overseas buyers directly with Indian businesses. An app-based B2B matchmaking system will allow participants to identify potential partners based on rice varieties, quantities, quality specifications and individual market requirements.
Africa is expected to remain a key growth market, with significant participation from Benin, Nigeria and Ethiopia, along with buyers from South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Kenya and other countries.
The Gulf and Southeast Asian markets are also attracting attention, with strong registrations from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The conference will explore the global rice market outlook for 2027, covering areas such as price trends, new export destinations, trade documentation, financing, shipping, quality standards, certification, sustainability, milling and value-added rice products.
The event will also feature the launch of Rice Sector Vision 2047, an innovation showcase and experience zones highlighting different parts of the rice value chain.
With international buyer participation already spanning 138 countries, BIRC 2026 could provide Indian rice exporters with a significant platform to identify new markets, expand overseas sales and build stronger connections with the global food and agriculture industry.