The Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 will open on October 23 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, bringing together rice exporters, importers, millers, policymakers and food businesses to explore global trade opportunities, assess market trends and identify value-added opportunities across the rice value chain.
The three-day event, scheduled from October 23–25 in Halls 4 and 5, has recorded 32,467 registrations, including 4,856 buyers from 153 countries. The conference will feature 65 speakers, nine knowledge sessions and 2,038 business-to-business (B2B) meetings scheduled in advance. Participants from 23 Indian states will connect domestic rice-producing and processing centres with international markets.
Exhibition space has been fully booked for the second consecutive year, reflecting continued interest in the platform.
B2B meetings to drive trade opportunities
The 2,038 scheduled buyer–seller meetings have been arranged through the BIRC digital platform, enabling exhibitors and sponsors to access meeting schedules and buyer details ahead of the event. The EY team will coordinate one-to-one meetings during the conference, facilitating discussions on sourcing requirements, rice varieties, quality specifications and potential business partnerships.
“BIRC 2026 brings together the people who grow, process, buy and sell rice with the knowledge they need to make better decisions. With 2,038 meetings already scheduled, the focus is on meaningful business engagement from the start. We want exporters to find new customers, buyers to discover suitable products and millers to identify where they can improve returns. The next chapter of India’s rice trade must be about creating more value, not simply selling more tonnes,” said Dev Garg, National Vice President, Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF).
Market outlook and value addition in focus
The knowledge programme, scheduled for October 23–24, will cover crop surveys and price forecasting, emerging export markets, documentation, insurance and credit, shipping, quality and certification, policy and incentives, sustainability, profitable rice milling and value-added products.
The opening session, titled Global Rice Demand and Supply Outlook 2027: Price Crash or New Bull Run?, will examine factors that could influence Basmati and non-Basmati rice prices. Experts will assess potential market scenarios, with IREF presenting its assessment of their likelihood and a practical market watchlist. Live audience voting will also gauge participants’ expectations.
Another key initiative will be the identification of the Top 10 Rice Markets to Watch in 2027. The assessment will consider demand, competition, product suitability, costs and payment risks. Delegates will receive market scorecards categorising opportunities as “Enter, Build or Watch”.
The programme will also address payment-protection mechanisms, policy and compliance requirements, and model milling-cost frameworks. IREF and EY will assess value-added opportunities for exporters, millers, food brands and ingredient businesses, highlighting potential routes to improve returns beyond conventional rice trading.
Rice heritage and culinary experiences
Beyond trade and technical discussions, nine Experience Zones, including the Global Rice Archive, will showcase rice diversity, history, farming communities, cuisines and commercial applications. Visitors will be able to explore Indian and international rice varieties and assess their sourcing potential.
The event will conclude on October 25 with a public-facing Rice Festival for consumers, chefs and families. ITC Hotels will curate the culinary section, alongside chef competitions, an influencer cook-off, cultural performances, quizzes and interactive experiences.
By combining trade engagement, market intelligence and culinary experiences, BIRC 2026 aims to strengthen connections across the rice value chain while encouraging businesses to explore new markets and higher-value opportunities.
