Global buyer registrations for Bharat International Rice Conference 2026 cross 3,300

Indian rice is drawing significant interest from international buyers, with 3,317 buyers from 138 countries registering for the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026, according to buyer data released ahead of the three-day industry event. The registrations were recorded as of August 30, nearly two months before the conference is held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from October 23 to 25.

The wide geographical spread of registrations is emerging as a key feature of this year's conference, with participation coming from neighbouring markets, Africa, the Gulf and Southeast Asia. Bangladesh leads country-wise registrations with 336 buyers, followed by Benin with 179 and Nigeria with 177. The United Arab Emirates has registered 145 buyers, while Nepal and the Philippines have recorded 137 each. Ethiopia has 127 registrations, Saudi Arabia 125, and Indonesia and South Africa 109 each. Registrations have also been received from Senegal, Iraq, Somalia, Guinea, Yemen, Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, Australia, Mali, Malaysia, Ghana, Angola and Kenya, among other established and emerging markets.

Dev Garg, Vice President of the Indian Rice Exporters' Federation (IREF), said the response reflects the breadth of global markets looking at India. "The response to BIRC 2026 clearly demonstrates the breadth of global markets looking at India. With 3,317 buyers from 138 countries already registered, our focus is to convert this international participation into new trade routes, new buyers and long-term business relationships for Indian rice exporters," Garg said. He added that BIRC 2026 is being positioned as a business platform aimed at facilitating targeted engagement between international buyers and Indian exporters.

The conference will feature an app-enabled B2B matchmaking system that allows buyers, exporters, millers and service providers to identify and schedule targeted meetings based on rice varieties, volumes, product specifications and market requirements. The B2B meetings will remain operational throughout the conference, with participants able to arrange targeted discussions in advance.

Africa has emerged as a particularly important opportunity region for Indian rice exporters, with strong participation from Benin, Nigeria and Ethiopia. The organisers said the geographical diversity of registrations could help Indian exporters expand their customer base, identify new destinations and reduce excessive dependence on individual markets. The event builds on a market-diversification initiative from the previous edition that sought to unlock potential rice-import markets estimated at ₹1.8 lakh crore.

The conference programme includes nine business-focused knowledge sessions covering areas including crop surveys and price forecasting, new market opportunities, documentation, insurance and credit, shipping, quality and certification, policy and trade incentives, sustainability, rice milling and value-added products. One session will examine the theme "Global Demand & Supply Outlook 2027: Price Crash or New Bull Run?" The conference will also examine the global rice market outlook for 2027.

BIRC 2026 will feature the launch of Rice Sector Vision 2047, the Top Five Innovations Reveal, an Innovation Showcase and an Ambassadors' Meet. Nine Experience Zones will showcase aspects of the rice ecosystem, including farming communities, biodiversity, global cuisines, trade routes, value-added applications and future seed innovation. The conference will conclude with a public-facing Rice Festival on October 25, featuring culinary activities curated by ITC Hotels.

The conference programme is expected to bring together international buyers, Indian exporters, millers, policymakers, technology providers and other stakeholders across the rice value chain.