Delhi conference to explore new markets for Indian rice

Delhi will host a three-day conference, the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC), commencing on Friday, October 23, 2026. Organized by the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF), the event aims to attract trade and business representatives from more than 150 countries. The conference will focus on exploring new markets, forecasting the 2027 price outlook, and identifying strategies to enhance profits from the rice trade.

With India's rice production reaching a record 150.18 million tonnes in 2024-25, the crop continues to play a vital role in national food security. However, climate change poses significant risks to rice cultivation, particularly in Kerala, where shifting weather patterns, heatwaves, floods, droughts, and pest infestations are undermining crop yields and transforming farming practices.

In response, experts advocate the adoption of climate-resilient rice varieties, improved irrigation systems, and efficient harvesting methods to safeguard crop output and farmers' livelihoods.

The conference will feature nine knowledge sessions and 2,038 scheduled business meetings, offering participants a platform to connect India's rice industry with global markets. Dev Garg, national vice-president of the IREF, emphasized the need to create more value in India's rice trade rather than merely increasing the volume of rice sold.