India’s rice industry could find new avenues for growth by moving beyond the traditional export of raw grain and developing higher-value products, according to the Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF).
Products such as convenience foods, rice-bran oil, rice protein and industrial materials made from rice husk could help businesses generate greater value from every tonne of rice. These opportunities will be discussed at the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026, scheduled to take place from October 23 to 25 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The opportunities have been identified as part of an IREF-EY assessment that will examine potential products, markets and commercial opportunities for India’s rice sector.
“The next opportunity is not simply to export more tonnes of rice, but to earn more value from each tonne. A miller, an exporter and an ingredient manufacturer will need different pathways,” said Rajeev Setia, President, Basmati, speaking on behalf of IREF.
Rice Noodles and Bran Oil Offer Scope for Expansion
Convenience foods, including rice noodles, are among the areas being considered for future growth. Grand View Research estimates cited in an IREF press release show that the global rice-noodle market could increase from USD 6.4 billion in 2024 to USD 11 billion by 2030. This represents an additional annual market value of about USD 4.6 billion.
The Asia-Pacific region accounted for 63.4 per cent of global rice-noodle market revenue in 2024, offering a potential starting point for companies looking at product development and market expansion.
Rice bran oil is another area that could provide additional value to rice processors. According to Grand View Research estimates, the global rice-bran-oil market is expected to grow from USD 4.8 billion in 2023 to USD 6.3 billion by 2030.
A 2024 edible-oil report by NITI Aayog estimated India’s rice-bran-oil potential at 1.9 million tonnes, including 8.5 lakh tonnes that remained untapped at the time.
Rice Protein and Specialised Ingredients
The conference will also examine opportunities involving rice protein, rice flour and functional starches. Grand View Research estimates cited by IREF put the global rice-protein market at USD 168.5 million in 2023 and project it to reach USD 281.4 million by 2030, representing an increase of around 67 per cent.
Discussions at BIRC 2026 will focus on areas such as customer requirements, processing capabilities and whether these specialised ingredients can be produced commercially at viable margins.
Rice Husk By-products Could Find Industrial Applications
Rice processing by-products could also become a source of additional value through industrial applications. The global market for silica derived from rice-husk ash is projected to grow from USD 640.6 million in 2025 to approximately USD 1.41 billion by 2033, according to estimates cited in the release.
Rubber and tyres accounted for 40 per cent of the market’s revenue in 2025. The release also highlighted Goodyear’s announcement regarding the use of silica produced from waste rice husk ash in its 2025 European truck-racing tyres as an example of industrial use.
BIRC 2026 to Focus on Commercial Opportunities
BIRC 2026 will examine whether these emerging opportunities can translate into commercially viable businesses rather than focusing only on headline market-growth projections.
“At BIRC 2026, we want to distinguish attractive market forecasts from businesses that can actually be built—identifying the products, buyers, investment requirements and partnerships that can turn potential into commercial growth,” Setia said.
The IREF-EY assessment will compare factors including market demand, potential margins, investment needs, processing yields, market access and export opportunities. It will also assess how much of the projected global growth Indian companies could realistically capture and the profitability remaining after processing costs.
A conference session titled “Beyond Raw Rice: The Next Billion-Dollar Opportunity” will discuss premium and speciality rice, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products, as well as improved utilisation of rice by-products. Other areas under consideration include sake, ethanol and bioenergy.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information provided in a syndicated report and is intended for informational purposes only. Market estimates and industry projections mentioned in the report are based on cited sources and may change over time. Readers should independently verify the information before making any business, investment or financial decisions.