Bharat International Rice Conference Opens Tomorrow in Delhi With Buyers From 153 Countries

The Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 opens tomorrow at Bharat Mandapam, drawing 32,467 registrations, including 4,856 buyers from 153 countries.

The three-day event, running from 23 to 25 October in Halls 4 and 5, will bring together exporters, importers, millers, policymakers and food businesses to explore new markets, assess the 2027 price outlook and look for ways to earn more from rice. Exhibition space has sold out for the second consecutive year.

Organisers have already lined up 2,038 business-to-business meetings through the BIRC digital platform, which gives exhibitors and sponsors advance access to meeting times and buyer details. EY will coordinate the one-to-one sessions at the venue, where discussions will centre on sourcing requirements, rice varieties, quality specifications and potential orders.

The conference will feature 65 speakers and nine knowledge sessions, with participation from 23 Indian states linking the country's rice-producing, processing and trading centres to global buyers.

Dev Garg, National Vice President of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF), said the event is built around "meaningful business engagement from the start." He added that exporters should find new customers, buyers should discover suitable products, and millers should identify ways to improve returns. "The next chapter of India's rice trade must be about creating more value, not simply selling more tonnes," he said.

Price outlook in focus

The knowledge programme, scheduled for 23 and 24 October, will cover crop surveys and price forecasting, new export markets, documentation, insurance and credit, shipping, quality and certification, policy and incentives, sustainability, profitable milling, and value-added products.

The opening session, titled "Global Rice Demand and Supply Outlook 2027: Price Crash or New Bull Run?", will examine what could push Basmati and non-Basmati prices up, keep them stable or pull them down. Experts will weigh the evidence for each scenario, and IREF will present its assessment of their likelihood along with a market watchlist. Live audience voting will track how participants' expectations shift during the discussion.

Another highlight is the "Top 10 Rice Markets to Watch in 2027," which will rate markets on demand, competition, product suitability, costs and payment risk. Delegates will receive scorecards carrying an "Enter, Build or Watch" recommendation for each market.

Other planned takeaways include payment-protection tools, policy and compliance guidance, and model milling-cost frameworks. IREF and EY will also evaluate value-added opportunities for exporters, millers, food brands and ingredient businesses.

Experience Zones and Rice Festival

Beyond the trade programme, nine Experience Zones will showcase rice's diversity, history, farming communities, cuisines and commercial uses. These include the Global Rice Archive, where visitors can explore Indian and international grains and their sourcing potential.

On Sunday, 25 October, a public-facing Rice Festival will welcome consumers, chefs and families. ITC Hotels will again curate the culinary section, alongside chef competitions, an influencer cook-off, cultural performances, quizzes and interactive experiences. Organisers say that combining commercial discussions with food experiences is meant to connect the industry's next export opportunities with consumer tastes.