India basmati acreage seen rising as strong prices offset monsoon risks
New Delhi: India's basmati rice acreage is expected to increase this kharif season as strong prices and robust export demand encourage farmers to shift away
New Delhi: India's basmati rice acreage is expected to increase this kharif season as strong prices and robust export demand encourage farmers to shift away from conventional paddy, even as uneven monsoon rains delay overall paddy sowing, according to exporters, farmers and industry experts. Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Jammu are also expected to expand cultivation of short-duration basmati varieties, which mature about three weeks earlier than traditional varieties and help reduce the risk of delayed rainfall and moisture stress. The shift comes as overall paddy sowing remains behind last year's pace. Between 1 June and 17 July, paddy had been planted over 16.6 million hectares, down from 16.7 million hectares a year earlier. India, the world's second-largest producer and biggest rice exporter, produced 13.5 million tonnes of basmati rice from 2.4 million hectares in the 2025-26 crop year. Basmati exports reached 6.5 million tonnes, worth $5.67 billion during the year, compared with $5.94 billion the year before.
Paddy is a water-intensive crop that is largely dependent on timely rainfall during sowing and transplantation. The share of basmati in total paddy area is 5-6% “Farmers received better prices for basmati last season, and we expect acreage to increase this year. However, the picture will become clearer by the end of this month,” said Satish Goel, president of the All India Rice Exporters Association, an association of rice exporters in India. Premium basmati varieties such as Pusa-1121 and Pusa-1509 traded between ₹3,200 and ₹4,000 per quintal last year, well above the minimum support price of ₹2,369 per quintal for common paddy. Short-duration varieties gain favour Farmers say acreage under short-duration basmati is likely to rise as erratic rainfall prompts growers to opt for crops that mature in 115-125 days, roughly 20-25 days earlier than conventional basmati. Short-duration varieties accounted for 38.2% of India's total basmati acreage last year and are widely grown in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir.
“We are anticipating increase in area of short duration basmati varieties as monsoon played spoilsport this year,” said Ajit Singh, a farmer from Amritsar district in Punjab. Acreage is currently similar to last year but could increase if rainfall improves over the coming weeks, said Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) president Balbir Singh Rajewal. "However, if rainfall progresses well, we can see an uptick in area." Experts cautioned that it is still too early to estimate acreage under longer-duration basmati varieties. Although basmati cultivation is largely irrigated, rainfall during critical crop stages remains important for yields. After subdued monsoon activity, rainfall is set to revive across the northwest plains from 20 July. The India Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rainfall across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh between 20 and 25 July, which could support planting activity. Queries emailed to the agriculture and farmer's welfare ministry remained unanswered till press time. Export outlook Exporters said sustained demand from West Asia helped keep basmati prices firm last season, encouraging farmers to retain or expand acreage.
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