BIRC 2026 Kicks Off in Delhi: Global Rice Giants Converge for 2027 Outlook
Bharat International Rice Conference 2026 kicks off in Delhi with over 32,000 registrations and buyers from 153 nations to shape the 2027 rice market.
The global rice trade has descended upon the national capital. The Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 has officially opened its doors at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, creating a massive hub for Indian exporters and international buyers to strategize for the coming years.
Organized by the Indian Rice Exporters' Federation (IREF), the three-day event is seeing an unprecedented scale of participation. The conference has recorded a staggering 32,467 registrations, featuring 4,856 buyers hailing from 153 different countries. This massive gathering aims to explore untapped markets, analyze the price outlook for 2027, and find ways to increase profitability across the entire industry value chain.
Massive Business Engagement
The BIRC 2026 is not just a talk shop; it is a high-stakes business engine. Through the conference's digital platform, 2,038 business-to-business (B2B) meetings have already been scheduled. Dev Garg, National Vice President of IREF, emphasized that the focus is on immediate and meaningful business engagement from the very start.
The exhibition space has been completely booked for the second year in a row. More than 180 companies are showcasing their products and capabilities, with participants from 23 Indian states representing the country's primary rice-producing, processing, and trading centers.
Deciphering the 2027 Price Outlook
A central pillar of the event is the knowledge program, running from October 23 to 24. The sessions are designed to tackle the critical questions facing the industry. The opening session, titled "Global Rice Demand and Supply Outlook 2027: Price Crash or New Bull Run?", will dive deep into the price movements of both Basmati and non-Basmati rice.
Other key discussions will cover:
- Market Identification: Pinpointing the top 10 rice markets to watch in 2027 based on demand, competition, and payment risks.
- Operational Logistics: Deep dives into export documentation, shipping, insurance, and credit.
- Laying the Groundwork: Discussions on crop surveys, price forecasting, and government policy.
- Industry Standards: Focus on quality certification and sustainable, profitable rice milling.
Beyond Trade: Culture and Innovation
The event also features nine "Experience Zones," including a Global Rice Archive. This archive is a treasure trove of biodiversity, showcasing approximately 200 rice varieties from India and and other parts of the world, alongside displays of farming communities and commercial uses.
The conference will culminate in a public-facing Rice Festival on October 25. This celebratory event will feature culinary activities curated by ITC Hotels, influencer cook-offs, chef competitions, and cultural performances.
A Legacy of Success
The scale of BIRC 2026 reflects the growth of the following the 2025 inaugural event. The first conference attracted 10,854 visitors and 1,083 international buyers from over 90 countries. According to an EY post-event assessment, that first edition generated reported business commitments worth Rs 33,453 crore, covering roughly 8.63 million tonnes of rice.