India's rice exporters are set to gain unprecedented international exposure as 3,317 buyers from 138 countries have registered for the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026. According to data released on August 30, the three-day conference will be held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital from October 23 to 25. The registration data shows strong participation from diverse markets across Africa, the Gulf, Southeast Asia and neighboring countries. 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 the registrations with 336 buyers, followed by Benin with 179 and Nigeria with 177. As reported by Outlook Business, The Times of India, Devdiscourse and Rediff Moneynews, the UAE has 145 registrations, while Nepal and the Philippines have recorded 137 each. Ethiopia has registered 127 buyers and Saudi Arabia 125, with Indonesia and South Africa having 109 registrations each. The conference has attracted buyers from established markets including Senegal, Iraq, Somalia, Guinea, Yemen, Côte d''Ivoire, Niger, Australia, Mali, Malaysia, Ghana, Angola and Kenya. Africa accounts for a significant chunk of buyer interest, with strong participation from Benin, Nigeria and Ethiopia, while the Gulf region features prominently through the UAE and Saudi Arabia registrations.
According to Dev Garg, Vice President of the Indian Rice Exporters' Federation (IREF), as reported by Outlook Business, The Times of India, Devdiscourse and Rediff Moneynews, the response demonstrates 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. The geographical diversity of participants could help Indian exporters expand their customer base, identify new destinations and reduce excessive dependence on individual markets. Africa has emerged as a particularly important opportunity region, with strong participation from Benin, Nigeria and Ethiopia, while the Gulf remains another key market led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The spread of registrations comes as Indian rice exporters look to diversify their overseas customer base beyond traditional markets.
The conference will introduce an app-enabled B2B matchmaking platform to move beyond conventional networking. As reported by Outlook Business, The Times of India, Devdiscourse and Rediff Moneynews, buyers, exporters, millers and service providers will be able to identify prospective counterparts and schedule meetings according to rice varieties, volumes, product specifications, market requirements and buyer preferences. "Our app-enabled B2B matchmaking will allow buyers, exporters, millers and service providers to identify and schedule targeted meetings based on rice varieties, volumes, product specifications and market requirements. The objective is to move from general networking to commercially meaningful business engagement," Garg explained. The platform will remain operational throughout the conference, allowing participants to arrange targeted discussions in advance to make interactions more focused and commercially productive.
The global rice market's prospects for 2027 will be a key area of discussion at the conference, with one session examining the theme, "Global Demand & Supply Outlook 2027: Price Crash or New Bull Run?" According to Outlook Business, The Times of India, Devdiscourse and Rediff Moneynews, BIRC 2026 builds on the market-diversification initiative undertaken during the previous edition, which sought to unlock potential rice-import markets estimated at ₹1.8 lakh crore. The conference will feature nine business-focused knowledge sessions covering 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. The conference programme is expected to bring together international buyers, Indian exporters, millers, policymakers, technology providers and other stakeholders across the rice value chain. The event will conclude with a public-facing Rice Festival on October 25, featuring culinary activities curated by ITC Hotels, the Top Five Global Rice Varieties, a "Biryani Reinvented" Master Chef Contest, an influencer cook-off, rice quizzes, cultural performances and a session on starting a rice business.
