Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2025 to position India’s Leadership in Global Rice Supply Chain

Overview The Department of Commerce , under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry , Government of India , has announced the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2025 . This event will take place at Bharat Mandapam , Pragati Maidan , New Delhi , on October 30th – 31st, 2025 . BIRC 2025 is envisioned as a global platform aligned with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision. It aims to bring together key stakeholders, including producers, exporters, importers, policymakers, financiers, logisticians, research institutions, and service providers, to enhance transparency, efficiency, and resilience in the global rice trade. The core focus will be on sustainability, innovation, and transparent, rules-based commerce. Key Developments Conference Objectives Positioning India: To establish India's leadership in the global rice supply chain. Market Expansion: To unlock ₹1.80 lakh crore in new rice import markets. Export Agreements: To facilitate ₹25,000 crore worth of export MoUs . Stakeholder Engagement: To bring together diverse stakeholders for collaborative discussions. Sustainability Focus: To promote sustainable practices in rice cultivation and trade. Participation Foreign Dignitaries: The Foreign Ministers of the Philippines , Ghana , Namibia , and The Gambia will participate. Farmers and FPOs: Over 3,000 farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are expected. International Buyers: Over 1,000 foreign buyers from more than 80 countries . Industry Representatives: Approximately 2,500 exporters , millers, and allied industries. Supporting Organizations Organizers: Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF) and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) . Government Support: Supported by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry , Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution , Ministry of Food Processing Industries , Ministry of Cooperation , and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare . State Government Support: Supported by the State Governments of Odisha , Telangana , Meghalaya , Assam , and Manipur . Research and Cooperative Institutions: Includes the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) , National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) , National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) , Bhartiya Beej Sahakarita Samiti Ltd. (BBSSL) , and Krishak Bharati Cooperative Agri Limited (Kribhco) . India's Rice Sector India is a major global player in rice production and export, supplying to over 172 countries . In 2024–25 , India produced around 150 million tonnes of rice from nearly 47 million hectares , accounting for about 28 percent of global output. Average yields have improved from 2.72 tonnes per hectare in 2014–15 to about 3.2 tonnes per hectare in 2024–25 . In FY 2024–25 , India exported 20.1 million metric tonnes of rice valued at approximately USD 12.95 billion . Conference Highlights Thematic Activities: A broad spectrum of thematic activities and sessions will be included. Coffee Table Book: A coffee table book showcasing India’s rice heritage will be unveiled. Culinary Experience Zone: Curated by IREF and APEDA with IRRI and ITC Hotels , showcasing Indian rice in international cuisines. Sensory Panels and Buyer Clinics: To assess quality and preferences. Instant Export Onboarding: Facilities to convert interest into trade MoUs on the spot. UPSC Relevance This conference is relevant to GS Paper 3 (Economy) , particularly concerning agricultural production, trade, and food security. It also touches upon GS Paper 2 (International Relations) due to the participation of foreign ministers and the focus on international trade. Understanding the objectives and outcomes of BIRC 2025 can provide valuable insights for Mains answers related to India's agricultural exports and its role in global food systems. Key Objectives and Expected Outcomes New Markets: Unlock ₹1.80 lakh crore in new rice import markets. Export MoUs: Catalyze ₹25,000 crore in export MoUs . Sustainability: Promote sustainable practices in rice cultivation and trade. Innovation: Encourage innovation in agronomy, irrigation, certification, and traceability. Markets Identified for Redirection to Indian Rice Varieties The conference aims to redirect a meaningful share of purchases from India’s competitors to Indian varieties through product–market fit demonstrations. The following table lists key importing countries and their imports from India’s competitors: Rank Importing Country Imports from India’s Competitors, USD mn 1 Indonesia 2,586 2 Philippines 2,470 3 Saudi Arabia 497 4 Vietnam 1,463 5 Iraq 1,661 6 USA 1,194 7 Malaysia 872 8 Côte d’Ivoire 849 9 China 890 10 UK 528 11 Benin 218 12 France 652 13 UAE 190 14 Brazil 678 15 South Africa 520 16 Belgium 602 17 Japan 623 18 Mexico 617 19 Senegal 373 20 Germany 454 21 Kenya 337 22 Cameroon 341 23 Mozambique 384 24 Canada 341 25 Netherlands 341 26 Korea 409