Rice export from India is seen picking up on an expected increase in demand from southeast Asia. India, currently the world’s largest exporter of rice, has seen a 35 per cent fall in rice exports so far this year, as domestic rates have been higher than that offered by competitors. However, exporters of common variety rice now are hopeful that the supply slump in Thailand due to drought and price increase in Vietnam and Bangladesh—the other major rice producing nations—will turn the market favourable for them. The rice exports market holds potential for growth as the crop size is not high in Thailand due to drought this year, whereas prices are rising in Vietnam and Bangladesh. After taking into account average domestic rice consumption of about 8 million tonnes every month, India has adequate stock of the commodity to push its export. Every year, the country exports about 12 million tonnes of rice, including the premium basmati variety.