Australia Rice Market Size & Forecast 2025–2033

Australia Rice Market Overview

The Australia Rice Market is projected to grow from US$ 5.74 billion in 2024 to US$ 7.1 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 2.4% during the forecast period 2025–2033, according to Renub Research. This steady growth reflects evolving dietary habits, increasing multicultural influences, and rising demand for premium, organic, and specialty rice varieties across the country.

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Rice has transformed from a supplementary grain into a mainstream staple within Australian households. Although Australia does not share the long-standing rice consumption traditions of Asia, demographic shifts, global food exposure, and changing consumer lifestyles have significantly altered domestic demand patterns. Rice now features prominently in home cooking, restaurants, foodservice outlets, and ready-to-eat meal formats nationwide.

Australia Rice Market Outlook

Rice consumption in Australia mirrors the country’s multicultural identity. Migration from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa has reshaped food preferences, making rice a core ingredient in daily meals. Popular global cuisines—Chinese stir-fries, Thai curries, Indian biryanis, Middle Eastern pilafs, and Japanese sushi—have embedded rice deeply into Australia’s food culture.

Domestic rice production is concentrated mainly in New South Wales’ Riverina region, particularly around Leeton and Deniliquin. Australian-grown rice supports both domestic consumption and export markets across Asia and the Pacific. Consumers have access to a wide portfolio of rice varieties, including:

Medium- and long-grain white rice

Aromatic jasmine and basmati

Nutritious brown and whole-grain rice

Specialty rice such as Arborio, sushi rice, and red cargo rice

As health awareness rises, Australian consumers increasingly prefer whole-grain, low-GI, organic, and sustainably produced rice. Its affordability, long shelf life, and versatility continue to make rice a pantry essential across income groups.

Key Growth Drivers of the Australia Rice Market

Growing Multicultural Population and Expanding Culinary Preferences

Australia’s multicultural population remains the strongest driver of rice demand. Communities from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East rely heavily on rice as a dietary staple, boosting consistent consumption across households and foodservice channels. This has increased demand not only for standard white rice but also for specialty varieties such as basmati, jasmine, Arborio, and sushi rice.

Supermarkets and specialty retailers have responded by expanding ethnic food aisles and introducing imported and premium rice options. In 2022, Rice Research Australia collaborated with AgriTech companies to deploy precision farming tools, helping growers monitor crop health, optimize water use, and improve yields while minimizing environmental impact.

Health and Wellness Trends Fueling Premium Rice Consumption

Health-conscious Australians are increasingly choosing brown, black, red, and organic rice varieties due to their higher fiber content, essential minerals, and lower glycemic index compared to refined white rice. These varieties are especially popular among athletes, diabetics, and consumers following clean-label, plant-based, vegan, or gluten-free diets.

Rice’s role as a naturally gluten-free carbohydrate has further strengthened its appeal. In 2023, SunRice launched a national marketing campaign highlighting the nutritional benefits and sustainability of Australian-grown rice, aiming to strengthen local consumption and brand trust.

Expansion of Retail and E-Commerce Distribution Channels

Australia’s advanced retail infrastructure has made rice widely accessible. Supermarkets, health food stores, ethnic grocers, and bulk retailers offer a diverse selection of domestic and imported rice. Meanwhile, e-commerce platforms enable easy price comparison, product discovery, and repeat purchases.

Retailers are investing in eco-friendly packaging, in-store promotions, and premium product placements to drive sales. In September 2023, Taj Foods Australia introduced new specialty jasmine and basmati rice variants, targeting consumers seeking authentic flavors and high-quality ingredients.

Australia Rice Market Challenges

Domestic Production Constraints and Climate Risks

Australian rice farming relies heavily on irrigation, making it vulnerable to droughts and water scarcity—particularly in New South Wales. Climate variability directly impacts crop yields, leading to supply fluctuations and price volatility. Reduced domestic output also increases reliance on imports, exposing the market to global price shifts and supply chain disruptions.

Intensifying Competition from Imported Rice

Imported rice from countries such as Thailand, India, and Vietnam presents strong competition due to lower production costs and wider specialty offerings. Imported brands often attract price-sensitive consumers and those loyal to traditional rice origins, limiting growth opportunities for local producers despite rising domestic demand.

Segment Analysis of the Australia Rice Market

Australia Regular Rice Market

Regular white rice remains a household staple due to its affordability, versatility, and familiarity. Despite competition from premium varieties, it maintains steady demand across households and foodservice establishments.

Australia Arborio Rice Market

Arborio rice is gaining popularity driven by the rise of gourmet cooking and European cuisines. Its creamy texture makes it ideal for risotto and fusion dishes, supported by cooking shows, food blogs, and restaurant demand.

Australia Brown Rice Market

Brown rice continues to see rising demand due to its perceived health benefits. Retailers increasingly position it alongside organic and whole-grain foods, strengthening its image as a nutritious daily staple.

Australia Long Grain Rice Market

Long grain rice, including basmati and jasmine, dominates multicultural cooking. Its consistent texture and adaptability make it a preferred choice for stir-fries, pilafs, and salads across home and commercial kitchens.

Australia Offline Rice Market

Offline channels—supermarkets, grocery stores, and specialty outlets—remain dominant. Major retailers like Woolworths, Coles, and IGA provide extensive rice assortments, while ethnic stores cater to niche preferences. In-store trust and promotional offers continue to drive offline sales.

Australia Rice Food Market

Value-added rice products such as ready-to-eat pouches, rice snacks, cakes, and breakfast foods are growing rapidly. Convenience, portion control, and health positioning attract busy urban consumers and gluten-free households.

Regional Insights

Victoria Rice Market

Victoria, particularly Melbourne, drives rice consumption through its diverse population and vibrant foodservice sector. Demand spans brown, organic, Arborio, and aromatic rice varieties.

Queensland Rice Market

Queensland’s growing population, tourism industry, and hospitality sector support strong demand for both standard and premium rice varieties.

Tasmania Rice Market

Although smaller in size, Tasmania emphasizes premium, organic, and sustainably sourced rice, aligning with its quality-focused food culture.

Market Segmentation Overview

By Product Type

Regular

Aromatic

By Type

Red Rice

Arborio Rice

Black Rice

Grain Fragrance Rice

Brown Rice

Rosematta Rice

Parboiled Rice

Sushi Rice

Others

By Grain Size

Long Grain

Medium Grain

Short Grain

By Distribution Channel

Online

Offline

By Application

Food

Feed

Others

By State

New South Wales

Victoria

Queensland

Western Australia

South Australia

Australian Capital Territory

Tasmania

Northern Territory

Key Players Analysis

The Australia rice market features a mix of global leaders and regional specialists. Each company is evaluated across five viewpoints: overview, key personnel, recent developments, SWOT analysis, and revenue performance.

KRBL Limited

LT Foods Ltd

Kohinoor Foods

Thai Wah

Archer Daniels Midland

Tate & Lyle

General Mills

MGP Limited

Final Thoughts

The Australia Rice Market is positioned for stable, long-term growth as consumer preferences evolve toward healthier, premium, and culturally diverse food options. While climate risks and import competition present ongoing challenges, innovation in farming, branding, and value-added rice products continues to strengthen market resilience.

With rising health awareness, expanding multicultural cuisine adoption, and strong retail penetration, rice will remain a vital component of Australia’s food economy through 2033 and beyond.