As of January 2026, India surpassed China to become the world's largest rice producer, with a record output of 150.18 million tonnes against China's output of 145.28 million tonnes, said the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 4 January 2026.
India now accounts for roughly 28 per cent of total global rice production. Other key producers in this group include Indonesia, Bangladesh, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Egypt. India is also the world's largest rice exporter, with about 20.1 million metric tonnes of rice exports in 2024-25.
Which are the top 3 rice-producing states in India?
The top 3 rice-producing states in India are Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and West Bengal, as per the Economic Survey 2025-26.
Uttar Pradesh ranks first in rice production. Uttar Pradesh produces about 20.76 million tonnes, about 13.82 per cent.
Telangana is the second-largest rice producing state in India. Telangana produces about 17.45 million tonnes, accounting for 11.62 per cent of rice production.
West Bengal is third-largest rice producing state in India. Telangana produces about 16.02 million tonnes, approximately 10.66 per cent.
Other key rice-producing states in India include Punjab and Chattisgarh.
India is also the world's largest rice exporter, with about 20.1 million metric tonnes of rice exports in 2024-25, accounting for 40 per cent of global rice exports.
Key Facts about Rice Production in India
Rice is a staple food for most Indians. About 65 per cent of people in India consume it daily.
Rice production accounts for about 25 per cent of the total cropped area under its cultivation.
India has the largest area under rice cultivation in the world, frequently cited in the range of 43–45 million hectares.
Rice is a kharif crop. It is sown during June to July and harvested between September to October.
Rice farming requires high temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius.
Rice farming also requires high humidity and above 100cm of rainfall.
This crop thrives in soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 with good water-holding capacity and drainage.
Punjab and Haryana are the premier, high-yield hubs for aromatic, long-grain basmati rice in India.
The Krishna-Godavari Delta, located in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is known as the "rice bowl of South India," producing vast amounts of Sona Masoori and other varieties.
Chhattisgarh is widely recognized as the "Rice Bowl of Central India", cultivating over 20,000 diverse rice varieties covering about 47.75 lakh hectares of land
