The 10 World's Biggest Rice-producing Countries
The 10 World's Biggest Rice-producing Countries
10 World’s
Biggest Rice Producing Countries—Based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2024, there
are 10 world’s biggest rice-producing countries. As we know, rice is a product
of the paddy (Oryza sativa), which is one of the important crops and has been
cultivated by humans for a long time. Biologically, rice is a food crop in the
form of clump grass originating from two continents, namely Asia and West
Africa, which can grow in tropical and subtropical temperatures. Rice
cultivation itself started in 3000 BC in Zhejiang, China.
Taxonomically,
rice plants are included in the classification, namely Division: Spermatophyta;
Subdivision: Angiosperms; Class: Monocotyledonous; Order: Poales; Family:
Gramineae; Genus: Oryza Linn; Species: Oryza sativa L. In terms of biological
proximity, this plant belongs to the Poaceae family, so it still has a close
relationship with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), wheat (Triticum L.), corn (Zea
mays), and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). Until now, along with the
development of rice plants, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
has classified rice plants into 3 types, namely Japonica, Indica, and Javanica.
Furthermore,
based on the grain color, the paddy can be clustered into white grains,
brown/red, or black grains which is determined by the pigmentation of certain
phytochemicals. Black rice has a deep black color and usually turns deep purple
when cooked. Its dark purple color is primarily caused by its anthocyanin
content which showed higher in quantity than that of other colored grains. The
red grain color is due to the deposition and oxidative polymerization of
proanthocyanins in the pericarp, whereas the black grain color is caused by
deposition of anthocyanins (Oikawa et al., 2015).
Based on its
development, rice plants can grow in tropical and subtropical climates. Until
now, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is still an important food crop that is the
staple food for almost half of the world’s human population. Until 2024, the
commodity of rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most widely cultivated crops in
the world besides sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum), wheat (Triticum
L), and corn (Zea mays). According to agronomic statistics, in 2024,
the production of rice crops worldwide reached 820 million tons with the
planted area spread throughout the world reaching 172 million hectares (ha).
The World’s Production of Rice, Harvested Areas of Paddy, and Yield of Rice From 1961 to 2024
|
Years |
World's Area Harvested of Paddy |
World's Production of Rice |
Yield |
|
(Hectare (Ha)) |
(Tons) |
(Tons/ Hectare (T/ha)) |
|
|
1961 |
115,365,128 |
215,646,627 |
1.87 |
|
1962 |
119,452,412 |
226,456,291 |
1.90 |
|
1963 |
120,151,874 |
247,119,204 |
2.06 |
|
1964 |
125,056,092 |
262,928,949 |
2.10 |
|
1965 |
124,828,866 |
254,059,657 |
2.04 |
|
1966 |
125,680,502 |
261,181,246 |
2.08 |
|
1967 |
127,537,632 |
277,386,339 |
2.17 |
|
1968 |
129,264,962 |
288,624,275 |
2.23 |
|
1969 |
131,137,511 |
295,584,346 |
2.25 |
|
1970 |
132,873,177 |
316,345,651 |
2.38 |
|
1971 |
134,513,921 |
317,712,363 |
2.36 |
|
1972 |
132,197,915 |
307,289,867 |
2.32 |
|
1973 |
136,572,548 |
334,928,765 |
2.45 |
|
1974 |
136,887,849 |
331,970,539 |
2.43 |
|
1975 |
141,729,254 |
356,963,012 |
2.52 |
|
1976 |
141,860,154 |
347,686,382 |
2.45 |
|
1977 |
143,663,749 |
369,481,070 |
2.57 |
|
1978 |
143,503,572 |
385,208,660 |
2.68 |
|
1979 |
141,118,014 |
375,251,671 |
2.66 |
|
1980 |
144,412,301 |
396,871,220 |
2.75 |
|
1981 |
145,047,166 |
410,075,138 |
2.83 |
|
1982 |
141,574,207 |
421,948,954 |
2.98 |
|
1983 |
142,829,951 |
448,016,205 |
3.14 |
|
1984 |
144,242,470 |
465,342,803 |
3.23 |
|
1985 |
143,739,792 |
468,164,482 |
3.26 |
|
1986 |
144,470,662 |
468,675,152 |
3.24 |
|
1987 |
141,324,296 |
461,439,818 |
3.27 |
|
1988 |
146,402,480 |
487,457,812 |
3.33 |
|
1989 |
148,932,737 |
514,421,550 |
3.45 |
|
1990 |
146,960,266 |
518,570,207 |
3.53 |
|
1991 |
146,206,320 |
516,418,184 |
3.53 |
|
1992 |
147,709,288 |
531,068,523 |
3.60 |
|
1993 |
145,406,587 |
526,878,758 |
3.62 |
|
1994 |
147,114,753 |
539,655,159 |
3.67 |
|
1995 |
149,239,603 |
545,516,641 |
3.66 |
|
1996 |
149,922,595 |
554,840,638 |
3.70 |
|
1997 |
150,984,809 |
575,534,705 |
3.81 |
|
1998 |
150,448,728 |
571,217,170 |
3.80 |
|
1999 |
156,633,597 |
611,926,350 |
3.91 |
|
2000 |
153,854,294 |
596,690,737 |
3.88 |
|
2001 |
151,726,933 |
599,497,731 |
3.95 |
|
2002 |
148,730,232 |
576,264,743 |
3.87 |
|
2003 |
148,538,127 |
586,033,958 |
3.95 |
|
2004 |
150,805,986 |
606,577,799 |
4.02 |
|
2005 |
154,294,775 |
629,620,878 |
4.08 |
|
2006 |
155,329,005 |
640,781,701 |
4.13 |
|
2007 |
154,067,572 |
648,842,288 |
4.21 |
|
2008 |
159,266,922 |
686,875,959 |
4.31 |
|
2009 |
156,923,127 |
679,898,279 |
4.33 |
|
2010 |
160,482,985 |
691,542,453 |
4.31 |
|
2011 |
162,665,998 |
724,232,689 |
4.45 |
|
2012 |
161,407,278 |
730,384,020 |
4.53 |
|
2013 |
162,752,798 |
734,485,118 |
4.51 |
|
2014 |
164,094,110 |
742,553,330 |
4.53 |
|
2015 |
162,062,322 |
738,286,708 |
4.56 |
|
2016 |
161,404,618 |
734,901,945 |
4.55 |
|
2017 |
161,867,138 |
742,154,772 |
4.58 |
|
2018 |
164,740,985 |
766,667,909 |
4.65 |
|
2019 |
161,088,391 |
755,088,171 |
4.69 |
|
2020 |
164,466,054 |
771,604,783 |
4.69 |
|
2021 |
166,731,753 |
791,062,869 |
4.74 |
|
2022 |
165,032,821 |
778,637,858 |
4.72 |
|
2023 |
168,922,448 |
804,744,456 |
4.76 |
|
2024 |
172,414,425 |
820,223,278 |
4.76 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|||
Based on the
world’s statistical rice production from 1961 to 2024 in some variables, there
are some increasing trends on it. In 1961, the production of rice was just 215
million tons. After more than 60 years, precisely in the year 2024, the world’s
rice production became 820 million tons. Meanwhile, the harvested area of rice
is in the same way of production. In 1961, the harvested area of paddy was just
115 million hectares (ha) and in the year 2021, it increased to 172 million
hectares (ha). In the yield variables, the value of yield has increased from
1.87 tons/ha in 1961, and it turns into 4.76 tons/ha in 2024.
Statistical Production of Rice Based on Continent in 2024
|
Continent |
Production of Rice in 2024 |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
Africa |
44,780,178 |
|
Americas |
37,223,984 |
|
Asia |
733,657,460 |
|
Europe |
3,930,058 |
|
Oceania |
631,598 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|
Based on
statistical data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United
Nations (UN), there are several main rice cultivation areas based on
continents. In 2024, the Asian continent still becomes the main region of rice
cultivation with production reaching 733 million tons (contributing 90% of
total world rice production), followed by the Africa continent with the
production of 44 million tons (contributing 5% of total world rice production)
and the Americas with rice production reaching 37 million tons (contributing 4
% of the total world rice production).
In terms of
countries, of course, there are several countries with the highest rice
production in the world. These countries certainly have a high production to
meet domestic consumption as well as export needs. Here are the 10 world’s
biggest rice-producing countries in 2024. This data was obtained from the Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2026.
Ranking of the 10 World’s Biggest Rice-producing Countries in 2024
|
Ranks |
Countries |
Production
of Rice in 2024 |
|
(Tons) |
||
|
1 |
India |
217,867,864 |
|
2 |
China, mainland |
207,530,000 |
|
3 |
Bangladesh |
60,570,453 |
|
4 |
Indonesia |
53,142,727 |
|
5 |
Viet Nam |
43,450,449 |
|
6 |
Thailand |
33,551,337 |
|
7 |
Myanmar |
27,650,000 |
|
8 |
Philippines |
19,087,135 |
|
9 |
Pakistan |
14,585,231 |
|
10 |
Cambodia |
14,200,000 |
|
Sources: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
||
The Brief Description of 10 World's Biggest Rice-producing Countries in 2024
1. India
India still
becomes the world’s biggest rice-producing country according to FAO data. In
2024, the production of rice from India reaches 217 million tons.
Geographically, there are several provinces in India which have the biggest
production of Rice than any other states in 2019. These provinces include West
Bengal with 15.88 million tons, Uttar Pradesh with 15.5 million tons, Punjab
with 11.7 million tons, Andhra Pradesh with 8.6 million tons, Orissa with 8.3
million tons, Telangana with 7.4 million tons, Tamil Nandu with 7.1 million
tons, Chattisgarh with 6.7 million tons, Biharwith 6.2 million tons, and Assam
with 4.9 million tons. Specifically, in the rice economic trading, India is
famous for Basmati rice and became the exporter of this commodity. In 2019,
India exported Basmati rice around 4.4 million tons.
2. China, mainland
China became the
2nd world’s biggest rice-producing country according to the FAO
database. In 2026, the production of Rice from China reaches 207 million tons.
In this country, there are some provinces in China which have the bigger
production of rice than other provinces. Some provinces are Heilongjiang 26.6
million tons, Hunan 26.12 million tons, Jiangxi 20.48 million tons, Jiangsu
19.6 million tons, Hubei 18.77 million tons, Anhui 16.3 million tons, Sichuan
14.7 million tons, Guangdong 10.75 million tons, Guangxi 9.9 million tons,
Jilin 6.57 million tons and the other province.
3. Bangladesh
Bangladesh was
the 3rd world’s biggest rice-producing country according to FAO data. In 2024,
the production of rice from Bangladesh reaches 60.5 million tons.
Geographically, there are some main regions of rice production in Bangladesh.
These regions are Rangpur, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Chittagong H.T, Barisal, Jessore,
and Dinajpur. In Pakistan, genetically, there are some popular rice varieties
namely BRRI Dhan 28, BRRI Dhan 29, Aman BRRI Dhan 11, Aman BRRI Dhan 49, Aush
BR 26, and Aush BRRI Dhan 48
4. Indonesia
Indonesia has
become the 4th world’s biggest rice-producing country according to FAO data. In
2024, the production of rice from this country reaches 53.1 million tons.
Statistically, the production of Rice in Indonesia is still concentrated in
Java Island based on Badan Pusat Statistic Data (Indonesia National Statistics
Agency) in 2020. The Province of Jawa Timur (East Java province) has the
highest production with 9,9 million tons, followed by Jawa Tengah (Central Java
province) with 9.4 million tons and Jawa Barat (West Java province) with 9
million tons. In this country, there are some famous cultivars of paddy that
are planted in several areas in Indonesia namely Ciherang, IR 64, Mentik Wangi,
Rojolele, Situ Bagendit.
5. Viet Nam
Vietnam is
another southeast-Asia nation with huge production of rice reaching 43.4
million tons according to FAO data. Geographically, in Vietnam, the main region
of rice cultivation areas are concentrated in the Mekong River Delta and the
Red River Delta with some provinces that have the higher production including
Kiên Giang, An Giang, and Dong Thap. Genetically, in terms of cultivars, there
are some rice cultivars in Vietnam namely NongNghiep 8 rice variety (Thannong 8
in the South), Khangdan Dotbien (mutated rice variety), Bac Thom 7 (BT7), Tam
Thom, Nang Thom Cho Dao, Seng Cu, and Nep Cai Hoa Vang.
6. Thailand
Thailand is the
6th world’s biggest rice-producing country in 2024 according to FAOSTAT in
2026. Specifically, rice production reached 33.5 million tons. Geographically,
Rice cultivation is widely dispersed in Thailand, with major cultivation
regions located in the lower north, central plains, and northeast. Genetically,
in Thailand, there are some popular rice cultivars namely, Thai Hom Mai 105
(Khao Dawk Mali 105), Thung Kula Jasmine Rice, Khao Luang Patew Chumphon, Khao
Jek Chuey Sao Hai, Black Glutinous Rice, Riceberry Rice, Khao Mun Poo (Red
Rice) and the other cultivars.
7. Myanmar
Myanmar is the
7th world’s biggest rice-producing country. This rice production from Myanmar
reaches 27.6 million tons according to FAO data in 2024. Geographically, there
are some regions of rice cultivation in Myanmar including Ayeyarwady Division,
Bago Division, Yangon Division, Sagaing Division, Shan State, Rakhine State,
Mon State, and Mandalay Division. Based on genetic perspective, there are some
popular cultivars of Rice cultivated in Myanmar namely Shwe War Tun, Seintaly,
Thi Htat Yin, Shwe Thwe Yin, and Sin Akari-2.
8. The Philippines
The Philippines
became the 8th world’s biggest rice-producing country according to the FAO
database. In 2024, the production of rice from this country reaches 19.09
million tons. Geographically, the main regions of rice cultivation in the
Philippines can be found in Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Cagayan Valley,
Ilocos region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Bicol region. Genetically, in Philippines,
there are some popular cultivars of Rice, namely Mabango (NSIC Rc128), Malagkit
1 (NSIC Rc13), Malagkit 2 (NSIC Rc15), Malagkit 3 (NSIC Rc17), Tubigan 18.
9. Pakistan
Pakistan is the
9th world’s biggest rice country producer in 2024. According to FAO Statistical
Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Rice from Pakistan reached 14.5
million tons. Geographically, paddy in Pakistan is mostly cultivated in Punjab,
Sindh, and Balochistan region and genetically, the Basmati rice is the most
popular rice cultivars in Pakistan.
10. Cambodia
Cambodia became
one of the world’s biggest rice-producing countries according to the FAO
database. In 2024, the production of rice from Cambodia reached 14.2 million
tons. Geographically, the main area of growing rice in Cambodia is around Tonle
Sap, the Tonle-Bassac River, and the Mekong River.
11. Brazil
Brazil became the
11th world’s biggest rice-producing country according to the FAO database. In
2022, the production of rice from this country reaches 10.7 million tons.
Geographically, in this country, there are some of the biggest states of rice
cultivation. Santa Catarina and the Rio Grande do Sul are the main areas of
production of rice in Brazil because about 75% of the national production comes
from these two states.
The Histogram Rank of 10 World’s Biggest rice-producing countries in 2024
The Table Rank of 10 World’s Biggest rice-producing countries in 2024
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