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 2022, 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 has been 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.
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 2022, 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 2022, the production of rice crops worldwide reached 776 million tons with the planted area spread throughout the world reaching 165 million hectares.
World’s Production of Rice and Harvested Areas From 1980 to 2022
| Years | Harvested Areas | Production of Rice |
|---|---|---|
| (Hectares) | (Tons) | |
| 1980 | 144,412,301 | 396,871,220 |
| 1981 | 145,047,166 | 410,075,138 |
| 1982 | 141,574,207 | 421,948,954 |
| 1983 | 142,829,951 | 448,016,205 |
| 1984 | 144,242,470 | 465,342,803 |
| 1985 | 143,739,792 | 468,164,482 |
| 1986 | 144,470,662 | 468,675,152 |
| 1987 | 141,324,296 | 461,439,818 |
| 1988 | 146,402,480 | 487,457,812 |
| 1989 | 148,932,737 | 514,421,550 |
| 1990 | 146,960,000 | 518,568,551 |
| 1991 | 146,630,312 | 518,512,573 |
| 1992 | 147,258,679 | 527,878,059 |
| 1993 | 146,454,544 | 529,599,553 |
| 1994 | 147,252,088 | 538,591,043 |
| 1995 | 149,579,343 | 547,162,009 |
| 1996 | 150,280,665 | 568,658,019 |
| 1997 | 151,216,612 | 577,136,882 |
| 1998 | 151,681,527 | 578,813,971 |
| 1999 | 156,833,929 | 611,177,563 |
| 2000 | 154,001,935 | 598,668,144 |
| 2001 | 151,951,944 | 600,246,671 |
| 2002 | 147,854,708 | 571,049,520 |
| 2003 | 148,530,163 | 586,926,818 |
| 2004 | 150,700,492 | 607,349,028 |
| 2005 | 155,266,701 | 634,225,538 |
| 2006 | 155,560,590 | 640,705,586 |
| 2007 | 154,906,579 | 653,970,131 |
| 2008 | 159,460,608 | 684,382,979 |
| 2009 | 156,685,450 | 680,265,683 |
| 2010 | 160,833,727 | 694,471,883 |
| 2011 | 161,778,988 | 719,469,858 |
| 2012 | 160,854,022 | 727,680,664 |
| 2013 | 163,128,502 | 731,770,431 |
| 2014 | 162,253,249 | 731,417,051 |
| 2015 | 160,509,412 | 732,898,369 |
| 2016 | 161,379,058 | 737,089,268 |
| 2017 | 163,480,266 | 751,120,236 |
| 2018 | 163,887,845 | 761,025,481 |
| 2019 | 160,518,465 | 753,286,401 |
| 2020 | 163,092,574 | 769,227,953 |
| 2021 | 165,250,620 | 787,293,867 |
| 2022 165,038,826 776,461,456 Source :FAOSTAT, 2024 | ||
Based on the world’s production of Rice from 1980 to 2022, there are some increasing trends. In 1980, the production of rice was just 396 million tons, and in the year 2021, the World’s rice production became 787 million tons. The increasing production is about 9 million tons annually, more or less. Meanwhile, the harvested area of rice is in the same way of production. In 1980, the harvested area of paddy is just 144 million hectares (ha) and in the year 2021, it became 165 million hectares (ha).
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 2022, the Asian continent was still the canter of rice cultivation with production reaching 698 million tons (contributing 90% of total world rice production), followed by the African continent with the production of 39 million tons (contributing 5% of total world rice production) and the Americas with rice production reaching 34 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 2022. This data was obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2022.
Ranking of the 10 World’s Biggest Rice-producing Countries in 2022
| Ranks | Countries | Production of Rice in 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | China, mainland | 208,494,800 |
| 2 | India | 196,245,700 |
| 3 | Bangladesh | 57,189,193 |
| 4 | Indonesia | 54,748,977 |
| 5 | Viet Nam | 42,672,339 |
| 6 | Thailand | 34,317,028 |
| 7 | Myanmar | 24,680,200 |
| 8 | Philippines | 19,756,392 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 11,624,000 |
| 10 | Brazil | 10,938,081 |
Sources: FAOSTAT, 2024 | ||
Brief Description of the 10 World’s Biggest Rice-producing Countries in 2022
1. China, mainland
China became the world’s biggest rice-producing country according to the FAO database. In 2022, the production of Rice from this country reaches 208 million tons. In this Country, there are some provinces with the biggest production of Rice. 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.
2. India
Inda was the 2nd world’s biggest rice-producing country according to FAO data. In 2022, the production of Rice from this country reaches 196 million tons. Geographically, there are several provinces in India with the biggest production of Rice in 2019. These provinces are 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. India is famous for Basmati rice and became the exporter of this commodity. in 2019, India exported Basmati rice around 4.4 million tons.
3. Bangladesh
Bangladesh was the 3rd world’s biggest rice-producing country according to FAO data. In 2022, the production of Rice from this country reaches 57.1 million tons. Geographically, there are some regions of rice production in Bangladesh. These regions are Rangpur, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Chittagong H.T, Barisal, Jessore, and Dinajpur. In this country, there are some popular rice variety 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 2022, the production of Rice from this country reaches 54.7 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) become 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 the next one with the production of rice reaches 42.6 million tons according to FAO data. Geographically, in Vietnam. the main is of Rice production are concentrated in the Mekong River Delta and the Red River Delta with some provinces with the highest production are Kiên Giang, An Giang, and Dong Thap. Based on 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 countries. This rice production reaches 34.3 million tons according to FAO data in 2022. Geographically, Rice cultivation is widely dispersed in Thailand, with major cultivation regions is in the lower north, central plains, and northeast. I 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 countries. This rice production from Myanmar reaches 24.6 million tons according to FAO data in 2022. Geographically, there are some regions of rice cultivation in Myanmar. These areas are Ayeyarwady Division, Bago Division, Yangon Division, Sagaing Division, Shan State, Rakhine State, Mon State, and Mandalay Division. Based on genetic, there are some popular cultivars of Rice 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 countries according to the FAO database. In 2022, the production of Rice from this country reaches 19.7 million tons. Geographically, there are the main regions of rice Cultivation in the Philippines namely Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Bicol region. Genetically, there are some cultivars of Rice namely Mabango (NSIC Rc128), Malagkit 1 (NSIC Rc13), Malagkit 2 (NSIC Rc15), Malagkit 3 (NSIC Rc17), Tubigan 18.
9. Cambodia
10. Pakistan
Pakistan is the 10th World’s biggest Rice producer in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Rice from Pakistan reached 10,983,081 tons. Geographically, paddy in Pakistan is mostly cultivated in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan region. Genetically, the Basmati rice is the most popular rice cultivars in Pakistan.
11. Brazil
Brazil became the 11th world’s biggest rice-producing countries 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 biggest states of rice cultivation. Santa Catarina and the Rio Grande do Sul are the main area of production of rice in Brazil because about 75% of the national production comes from these two states.
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