Question map
Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?
Explanation
India had the highest export volume of rice worldwide, at 22 million metric tons as of 2024/2025.[1] Additionally, India is expected to ship around 24 million metric tons, making up about 40% of all global rice exports.[2] This dominant position in global rice trade clearly establishes India as the world's largest rice exporter.
China, while being a major rice producer, is not a leading exporter and primarily focuses on domestic consumption. Myanmar and Vietnam are significant rice exporters in Southeast Asia, but their export volumes are considerably lower than India's. India accounts for approximately 40% of all global rice exports[2], which far exceeds the market share of other competing nations.
Therefore, **Option B (India)** is the correct answer as it has consistently maintained its position as the world's largest rice exporter over the last five years.
SourcesPROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Headline Fact' question. If India ranks #1 globally in any major metric (Rice Exports, Milk Production, Digital Payments), it becomes a mandatory memorization point. The trap lies in confusing 'Largest Producer' (China) with 'Largest Exporter' (India)—a distinction clarified in the Economic Survey.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Explicitly states the country with the highest export volume for the most recent season (2024/2025).
- Provides a concrete export volume in metric tons (22 million) tying India to being the top exporter.
- Directly identifies India as the world's largest exporter and gives a recent annual export volume estimate.
- Quantifies India’s share of global rice exports (~40%), supporting its position as the largest exporter.
- Gives recent quarterly export volume data (2025 Q1) showing India’s export volume well above other listed countries.
- Supports the pattern of India leading exports in recent periods (consistent with annual figures).
States that China is the world's greatest rice producer but consumes nearly all of it, leaving very little for export.
A student could use this rule (high production + very large domestic consumption => low exports) to eliminate China as the largest exporter despite its production lead.
Asserts India is the largest exporter of rice and highlights strong basmati exports and overall agricultural export presence.
Treat this as a direct claim to be checked against recent export-volume statistics (e.g., FAO/UN Comtrade) to confirm whether India has led exports in the last five years.
Explicitly claims Thailand is the leading exporter of rice in the world, presenting an alternative candidate to India.
Use this as a competing hypothesis and compare Thailand's recent annual export volumes with those of India and other exporters using standard trade datasets or world map trade patterns.
Lists principal rice exporters historically (Burma, Thailand, and mentions Vietnam among others), showing a pattern that Southeast Asian countries are major exporters.
A student could assemble these commonly listed exporter countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, India, Pakistan) and then check their recent export volumes to identify the leader over the last five years.
Notes that basmati rice is a significant exported item for India and that India has remained a net exporter of agricultural products since 1991.
Use India's documented export focus (basmati and other rice types) as a clue to look up India-specific rice export tonnages and compare them to major competitors' figures.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. This fact is explicitly mentioned in the Economic Survey (Agriculture Chapter) and every standard Economy coaching compilation (Vivek Singh, Nitin Singhania).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Trends in Agricultural Trade. Specifically, the difference between 'Production Leaders' and 'Export Leaders'.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'India Rank' matrix: 1. Rice: #2 Producer, #1 Exporter (>40% global share). 2. Wheat: #2 Producer, negligible exporter (banned recently). 3. Pulses: #1 Producer, #1 Consumer, #1 Importer. 4. Milk: #1 Producer, negligible exporter. 5. Sugar: #1 Producer, #2 Exporter (after Brazil).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not rely solely on static Geography books (GC Leong) for trade data. Geography gives you 'Production' (Climate/Soil), but Economy gives you 'Exports' (Surplus/Policy). Always cross-reference the 'Top 3 Agri-Exports of India' list before Prelims.
A country can be a top producer of rice but not a top exporter because large domestic consumption can absorb most output.
High-yield for UPSC: this concept helps differentiate production statistics from trade performance, links agricultural output to food security and balance-of-payments analysis, and is often tested in questions comparing countries (e.g., China vs exporters). Mastery enables correct interpretation of production vs export data in policy and geography questions.
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 21: The Warm Temperate Eastern Margin (China Type) Climate > Economic Development > p. 202
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 10: Agriculture - Part I > Green Revolution > p. 303
Thailand, India, Myanmar (Burma) and Vietnam are among the principal suppliers that determine world rice export volumes.
High-yield for UPSC: knowing the main exporters aids in answering questions on commodity trade patterns, regional agricultural economies, and food diplomacy. It connects to topics in international trade, South/Southeast Asian geography, and questions on global supply chains.
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Trade > p. 19
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 26: Agriculture > World Production and Distribution > p. 251
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 10: Agriculture - Part I > Green Revolution > p. 303
Strong internal consumption can limit a country's exportable surplus even when production is high, affecting its rank by export volume.
Important for UPSC: explains why policy measures (export bans, minimum export quotas) or population size alter trade flows; links to food security, trade policy, and economic geography questions. Useful when evaluating why large producers may not lead exports.
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 21: The Warm Temperate Eastern Margin (China Type) Climate > Economic Development > p. 202
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 10: Agriculture - Part I > Green Revolution > p. 303
While Rice is the highest export by VOLUME, 'Marine Products' often hold the top spot in India's agri-export basket by VALUE. Also, watch out for 'Vegetable Oils'—India is the world's largest IMPORTER (Palm oil from Indonesia/Malaysia).
Use the 'Population Pressure' logic. China has the largest population and limited arable land per capita; they are net food importers to ensure security. Myanmar is too small an economy to dominate global trade. Vietnam is a strong competitor but lacks India's sheer landmass (India has the largest arable land in the world). Thus, India is the logical giant.
Connect this to GS3 Agriculture & WTO. India's dominance in global rice exports is a friction point at the WTO. Developed nations argue that India's MSP (Public Stockholding) acts as an indirect export subsidy, distorting global prices. This links Prelims data to Mains diplomacy.