India's basmati rice acreage is projected to increase during the kharif season, driven by strong market prices and robust export demand, according to industry experts and farmers. The shift comes despite uneven monsoon rains that have delayed overall paddy sowing this year. Between June 1 and July 17, paddy planting reached 16.6 million hectares, slightly down from 16.7 million hectares during the same period last year, as reported by Livemint.
Factors Influencing Acreage Increase
Farmers in regions such as Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh are likely to expand the cultivation of short-duration basmati varieties, which mature approximately three weeks earlier than traditional types. This change aims to mitigate risks associated with delayed rainfall and moisture stress. The share of basmati in total paddy area is currently around 5-6%.
According to Satish Goel, president of the All India Rice Exporters Association,
Farmers received better prices for basmati last season, and we expect acreage to increase this year. However, the picture will become clearer by the end of this month.
Premium basmati varieties such as Pusa-1121 and Pusa-1509 traded between ₹3,200 and ₹4,000 per quintal last year, significantly above the minimum support price of ₹2,369 per quintal for common paddy.
Export Trends
India, the world's second-largest rice producer and largest rice exporter, produced 13.5 million tonnes of basmati rice from 2.4 million hectares in the 2025-26 crop year. Basmati exports reached 6.5 million tonnes, valued at $5.67 billion, compared to $5.94 billion the previous year. Short-duration varieties accounted for 38.2% of India's total basmati acreage last year, reflecting a growing preference among farmers for quicker-maturing crops.
Increased basmati acreage could lead to a rise in supply, potentially stabilizing or lowering prices in the domestic market. This trend may also affect export dynamics, as higher production could enhance India's competitive position in global rice markets. Investors will watch for updated acreage reports and rainfall patterns over the coming weeks to gauge the impact on production forecasts.