Australia Rice Market Size & Forecast 2025–2033

The Australia Rice Market is projected to rise from US$ 5.74 billion in 2024 to US$ 7.1 billion by 2033, advancing at a CAGR of 2.4% during 2025–2033, according to Renub Research. The growth is being powered by a blend of multicultural culinary expansion, booming demand for premium and organic rice varieties, evolving health preferences, and an increasingly sophisticated retail and e-commerce landscape.

Rice has become a defining staple in modern Australian households, reflecting not only the nation’s rapidly changing demographics but also the influence of global food culture. Whether it’s Thai jasmine rice, Indian basmati, Japanese sushi rice, Italian Arborio, or nutritious brown and red rice, Australians today consume rice at higher rates than ever before. This shift marks a dynamic transformation in both consumption and production patterns, positioning rice as a pivotal agricultural and food-service commodity.

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Australia Rice Market Outlook

Rice farming in Australia is primarily concentrated in the New South Wales Riverina region, notably around Leeton and Deniliquin. While the country doesn’t have a historical rice-eating tradition like Asia, immigration and international cuisines have dramatically reshaped dietary habits. Today, rice-based dishes—stir-fries, biryanis, risottos, sushi bowls, curries, and paella—are everyday meals in homes, restaurants, and food delivery platforms.

Consumer behavior is also shifting toward healthier choices. Brown, red, black, and whole-grain rice options are increasingly preferred due to their fiber-rich, vitamin-dense profiles. Organic and sustainably sourced rice has also gained significant traction, driven by environmentally conscious shoppers, especially millennials and young families.

Rice’s affordability, versatility, and long shelf life continue to position it as an essential pantry staple across urban and regional Australia. With supermarkets, Asian grocery stores, health-food chains, and bulk-food outlets expanding their rice offerings, consumers have unprecedented access to local, imported, and specialty varieties.

Growth Drivers of the Australia Rice Market

1. Growing Multicultural Population and Expanding Cuisine Preferences

Australia’s population is one of the most multicultural in the world—and rice sits at the heart of many migrant cuisines. Communities from India, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, and Africa consistently drive demand for a diverse selection of rice types, including:

Basmati

Jasmine

Red Cargo Rice

Sona Masoori

Sushi Rice

Arborio

The rise of gourmet home cooking and global food exploration further boosts market expansion. Australian supermarkets and specialty retailers now offer much broader selections of premium, imported, and artisanal rice varieties.

A notable development came in 2022, when Rice Research Australia partnered with AgriTech innovators to expand precision-farming technologies. This boosted water efficiency, helped track crop health, raised yields, and reduced environmental impact—marking a major milestone for domestic production.

2. Health & Wellness Trends Fuel Premium and Whole-Grain Demand

The nationwide push toward healthier, cleaner eating is directly reshaping the rice category. Australians—especially fitness enthusiasts, diabetics, vegans, and plant-based consumers—are choosing:

Brown rice (high fiber, low GI)

Black rice (rich in antioxidants)

Organic rice (free of synthetic chemicals)

Whole grain blends

The spike in gym culture and diabetic-friendly diets has helped brown rice become one of the fastest-growing rice categories in Australia.

To capitalize on this trend, SunRice launched a major marketing campaign in 2023, promoting the nutritional value of Australian-grown rice. The effort helped increase domestic awareness of its health benefits, culinary versatility, and sustainability.

3. Expansion of Retail and E-Commerce Distribution Channels

Australia’s rice market has received a significant boost from modern retail and digital commerce. Key drivers include:

Broadened rice assortments in Woolworths, Coles, IGA, and specialty stores

Attractive in-store promotions, price discounts, and private-label innovations

Rapid expansion of online grocery shopping

Consumers’ ability to compare prices, read reviews, and explore niche rice categories

Increased visibility for imported and premium brands

In September 2023, Taj Foods Australia expanded its specialty rice offerings—introducing new basmati and jasmine flavor profiles, reinforcing its commitment to providing authentic, high-quality rice options for the growing foodie market.

Australia Rice Market Challenges

1. Domestic Production Limitations and Climate Vulnerability

Rice farming in Australia is highly dependent on irrigation, making it vulnerable to:

Droughts

Water scarcity

Unpredictable climatic shifts

Reduced Murray–Darling Basin allocations

Production volatility causes supply shortages, higher retail prices, and increased reliance on imports. This instability makes it difficult for local producers and retailers to maintain consistency in availability and pricing.

2. Rising Competition from Imported Rice

Australia imports significant amounts of rice from Thailand, India, and Vietnam—countries where production costs are lower. Imported rice has strong competitive advantages:

Lower pricing

Wider range of specialty varieties

Strong consumer loyalty for premium basmati and jasmine brands

Local producers face challenges in scaling their market presence, particularly in the specialty and price-sensitive segments.

Australia Rice Market by Segment

Australia Regular Rice Market

White rice remains a staple across households due to:

Low cost

Fast cooking time

Versatility across cuisines

High availability in supermarkets and small grocery stores

Despite competition from specialty rice, regular white rice continues to maintain strong, stable demand.

Australia Arborio Rice Market

Arborio rice, known for its creamy texture and essential role in risotto, has seen rising popularity thanks to:

Increased adoption of European cuisine

Growth of gourmet home cooking

Popularity of food blogs, cooking shows, and social media recipe culture

Both domestic and imported Arborio rice varieties are thriving in premium retail channels.

Australia Brown Rice Market

Brown rice consumption is growing rapidly due to:

High fiber content

Lower GI index

Popularity among health-conscious consumers

Appeal to vegan, vegetarian, and diet-focused households

Supermarkets often position brown rice in premium, organic, and health-food aisles—strengthening its identity as a nutritious alternative to white rice.

Australia Long Grain Rice Market

Long-grain rice varieties—especially Basmati and Jasmine—are essential staples in multicultural cooking. They are widely used for:

Stir-fries

Biryani

Fried rice

Pilafs

Asian-inspired bowls

The segment remains robust across retail and food-service industries.

Australia Offline Rice Market

Offline channels, particularly supermarkets, still account for the majority of rice sales in Australia. Consumers prefer physical retail for:

Checking packaging

Comparing brands

Browsing specialty aisles

Benefiting from promotions

Major chains—Woolworths, Coles, IGA—carry extensive rice selections, while Asian grocery stores remain crucial for ethnic communities seeking authentic varieties.

Australia Rice Food Market

Australia’s rice food segment includes:

Ready-to-eat (RTE) rice

Rice meal bowls

Rice cakes

Rice snacks

Instant rice pouches

Breakfast rice foods

Demand is being fueled by modern lifestyles prioritizing convenience, nutrition, and portion-controlled meals. Gluten-free consumers also contribute significantly to market expansion.

State-Wise Market Outlook

Victoria Rice Market

Victoria’s strong multicultural base and vibrant hospitality industry drive its rice consumption. Melbourne’s dining scene, grocery chains, and ethnic stores consistently boost demand for premium, organic, and specialty rice.

Queensland Rice Market

Queensland’s growing population, extensive tourism, and large food-service industry support demand for both everyday and premium rice varieties. Asian groceries and major supermarkets dominate distribution.

Tasmania Rice Market

Although smaller in scale, Tasmania follows national trends:

Rising demand for organic and whole-grain rice

Strong gourmet and local food culture

Consistent preference for quality over quantity

Premium rice categories perform particularly well in this region.

Market Segmentation Overview

By Product Type:

Regular

Aromatic

By Type:

Red Rice

Arborio Rice

Black Rice

Grain Fragrance Rice

Brown Rice

Rosematta Rice

Grain Parboiled Rice

Sushi Rice

Others

By Grain Size:

Long Grain

Medium Grain

Short Grain

By Distribution Channel:

Online

Offline

By Application:

Food

Feed

Others

Top States:

New South Wales

Victoria

Queensland

Western Australia

South Australia

ACT

Tasmania

Northern Territory

Key Companies (with 5-Point Coverage)

KRBL Limited

LT Foods Ltd

Kohinoor Foods

Thai Wah

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)

Tate & Lyle

General Mills

MGP Limited

(Each includes Overview, Key Person, Recent Developments, SWOT, Revenue Analysis.)

Final Thoughts

The Australia Rice Market is experiencing a significant transformation driven by multicultural influence, health-oriented consumption, premiumization, and digital retail adoption. As climate challenges continue to impact local production, strategic investments in sustainable farming, water-efficient technologies, and premium brand development will be essential for the future of Australia’s rice sector.

With steady consumption growth and rising demand for high-quality, organic, and specialty varieties, rice will remain a key component of Australia’s evolving food landscape through 2033 and beyond.