Rice Production and Export around the Globe
Rice as a cereal grain makes up the major portion of staple diet consumed globally. Since a large portion of maize crops are grown for purposes other than human consumption, rice is the most important grain with regard to human nutrition and caloric intake, providing more than one fifth of the calories consumed worldwide by humans.
Genetic evidence has shown the origin of rice in the Pearl River Valley region of China, some 8,200-13,500 years ago. From East Asia, rice spread to Southeast and South Asia. Rice was introduced to Europe through Western Asia and to the Americans through Europeans when they colonized the American continent.
Rice cultivation is suitable in areas with humid climate and high rates of rainfall as it requires abundant amount of water. Rice cultivation is a labor-intensive job therefore it is often cultivated in areas with low labor cost. Traditionally rice was cultivated by flooding the fields while, or after setting the young seedlings. This method does require proper planning and servicing of water damming and channeling but it decreases the growth of weeds and pests which have no submerged growth state.
Over the years the cultivation of rice has been affected due to various technological, industrial and environmental factors. A study conducted in 2010 has shown that rice yield growth rates have decreased in many parts of Asia due to increased temperatures and decreasing solar radiation during the later years of the 20th century.The yield rate has fallen 10-20% at some locations.
Rice Production and Export around the Globe
It is a fact that there are over 40, 000 different types of rice that are produced in different parts of the world today. Rice remains the leading, staple food crop which is consumed globally. Among the top, leading producers and exporters of the crop in the world today are China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Vietnam.
It is important to note that rice crops require certain specific climatic requirements for ideal growth which can only be fulfilled at certain placed on earth. It is for this reason that only a few regions across the globe have ranked top among the rest as the top producers of rice globally.
Because of its ideal climatic conditions, rice growing environments and agricultural knowledge, China is still the top producer of rice around the globe. Based on the statistics collected for the year 2009, China alone produced about 197 million tons of rice. Rice remains a staple diet for people across China and is widely consumed throughout the country. The commodity is also exported out of the country due to its excellent quality of production and the fact that it is produced in excessive quantity and can cater to the needs of the international market as well. India is the second largest producer of rice in the world.
Based on the survey and data accumulated for the year 2009, India was responsible for producing 131 million tons of rice. Similar to the people of China, Indians also widely consume rice as staple diet and use it in a variety of dishes. India is an agricultural country and has been bestowed with fertile plains and ideal climatic conditions. The waterlogged areas of the country provide offer perfect conditions for the growth of rice crops in massive quantity which is then distributed throughout the country and exported as well. Indian Basmati rice is popular globally as one of the best quality rice used in cooking.
The country that ranks third in rice production around the world is Indonesia. According the rice production survey of 2009, Indonesia produced 64 million tons of rice alone.China, India and Indonesia thus have the most productive farmers and the most ideal climatic conditions required for the production of rice. These three countries are responsible for exporting rice all over the world and help their economy flourish through their agricultural produce.
Among countries that are also involved in the active production of rice globally include Bangladesh, which also has some of the most fertile plains and highly skilled farmers (along with an impressive 50 million ton production rate for the year 2009), Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Philippines, Brazil, Pakistan, Cambodia, Japan, South Korea, United States of America, Egypt, Iran, Sri Lanka,Madagascar and Nigeria.
It can be seen from the information provided above that the leading continent involved in the production of high quality rice is Asia primarily the South East and Far East Asian regions. Other continents include Africa and America.
It is important to note that the presence of fertile plains and ideal climatic conditions alone is not enough for the production of high quality rice. It is essential for the farmers to be equipped with the right amount of knowledge regarding the plantation of crops, the correct seasons, the crop requirements etc in order to produce rice that is worthy of being exported to other parts of the world and being able to support the economy of a particular country.
China is currently equipped with the latest in terms of knowledge, expertise and technology in farming and agriculture. Even through India is the second largest producer of rice in the world, the lack of adequate technology and knowledge does not allow the farmers in that part to generate as much revenue to produce as much rice as they actually possess the capacity to. It is an established fact that if India brings itself up to date with the knowledge and expertise in farming and agriculture that China currently possesses, it may equal or even surpass China’s rice production in the coming years and become the leading producer of the crop in the world. Some of the leading causes of inadequate rice grain production in agricultural countries around the world include ineffective measures against pests, post harvest losses, poor transportation, inadequate technology, poor supply chain management, and overall ineffective and inefficient infrastructure.
In terms of pure dollar value, the top exporters of Rice are – India, Thailand, Viet Nam, United States of America, Pakistan, Italy, Uruguay, Brazil, Australia, Argentina, China, Belgium and Spain.
A list of reliable rice growers and manufacturers grouped by country of origin can be accessed here.
Classification of Rice Varieties
The most extensive collection of rice cultivars is present at the International Rice Research Institute located in Philippines. This research institute is home to more than 100,000 forms of rice collected from all over the world. The basic method of classifying rice cultivars is based on shape and texture of the grains. Though typically there are only four main types of rice namely Indica, aromatic, glutinous and Japonia, there are numerous varieties of rice which are present at the research center, and are being used in cooking in different parts of the world today have been enlisted as follows:
- Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur
- Indica Rice : Indica Rice is grown in different parts of Asia and appears to be normal white rice of long grains having smooth texture, ideal for cooking.
- Japonica Rice : Japonica Rice is primarily grown in South East Asia and is ideally used to complement sea food and sushi. The rice is short grained and sticky in nature. Mostly preferred in Japanese and oriental cuisine, this particular kind of rice may be rather tricky to cook.
- Aromatic Rice : Aromatic rice is typically long grained rice and has a distinct nut like taste and aroma to it. Some of the popular kinds of aromatic rice include jasmine rice, wild pecan rice, wehani rice etc. Aromatic rice has a fluffy texture when fully cooked and these grains are produced in different parts of the world including United Stated of America, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea.
- Jasmine Rice : Jasmine Rice is mostly produced on the plains of Thailand. This is a type of long grained, aromatic rice which is easy to cook and contains very little amylopectin.
- Mochi Rice : Mochi Rice is grown in Japan and is characterized by its short grains and sticky texture.
- Glutinous Rice : Glutinous rice is also known as Chinese rice, grown typically on the plains of China. This type of rice too is short grained, similar to Japanese rice, and has a sticky texture.
- Basmati Rice : Basmati Rice is a specialty of India, typically Northern plains and Pakistan. This high quality rice is exported all over the world. Basmati rice is a type of aromatic, long grained rice.
- Patna Rice : Patna Rice is produced in South India and comprises of both medium and long grains.
- Sona Masuri Rice : Sona Masuri Rice is also produced in India and comprises of short grains.
- Ponni Rice : Ponni Rice is grown along the Kaveri River delta regions of India.
- Ambemohar Rice : Grown specifically in Maharashtra, this type of rice is short grained and has a distinct mango blossom fragrance.
- Texmati Rice : Texmati is a hybrid cultivar which is grown in the United Stated of America and is known for a smell that closely resembles that of pop corn.
- Red/Black Rice : Red and Black Rice are basically grown in Indonesia.
- Valencia Rice : Grown and mainly used in Spain, this rice is short to medium grained.
- Arborio Rice : Arborio Rice is cultivated in Italy and comprises of short, thick grains. It is used to make one of the most popular Italian dishes – Risotto.