India is aiming to expand its global rice export share from the current 40% to 60%, Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) National President Prem Garg announced on Thursday during the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) in New Delhi.

Speaking to ANI, Garg said India has now become both the world’s largest producer and exporter of rice, surpassing China. “This year, we’re not only the number one rice exporter, but also the number one producer in the world. We’ve surpassed China, so we need to export more rice. We want to take our 40% share to 60% so our farmers can benefit,” he said.

The two-day Bharat International Rice Conference 2025, initiated by Indian rice exporters, has drawn farmers from 20–21 states, nearly 55 diplomats, and thousands of international buyers. The event features live rice processing demonstrations and participation from 3,000–4,000 exporters and startups across India.

“Farmers from 21 states have come to this conference. Around 55 diplomats have come here… 3,000 to 4,000 exporters and startups from all over India have come here, and the response has been so huge that we never even imagined it,” Garg said, calling the conference the first such global initiative led by IREF.

On trade concerns, Garg dismissed the impact of recent U.S. tariffs, noting that America imports only about 270,000 tons of rice annually. “It won’t make any difference, because the U.S. imports only 270,000 tons. We’ve just opened a new market of two million tons this year, which is more than the U.S. imports,” he explained.

Garg urged the government to support the industry by addressing logistical challenges and pesticide usage. “We have only one request from the government: to ban pesticides. Secondly, help us with ports and logistics. Apart from this, the rice industry does not ask for anything. The rice industry is self-sufficient,” he added.

ENERGY INDUSTRY | Nigeria Imposes 15% Import Duty on Petrol and Diesel