India basmati acreage seen rising as strong prices offset monsoon risks
Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh are expected to increase the acreage of basmati rice due to strong prices, despite concerns over monsoon delays. Basmati exports reached 6.5 million tonnes worth $5.67 billion in the 2025-26 crop year, with premium varieties fetching prices significantly above the minimum support price. The shift towards short-duration basmati varieties, which mature earlier and mitigate rainfall risks, reflects a strategic adaptation to changing climatic conditions.