Over 1 in 3 Indians Paid 20% or More for Rice This Year; Sona Masuri & Basmati Top Varieties: Survey

The prices of rice have increased significantly in the last one year, with the government exporting 5,00,000 metric tonnes of new basmati to the Middle East and Europe.

A survey by LocalCircles shows that most families in India consume a small or large quantity of rice. When asked how much has the per kilogram price of rice that your household consumes increased in the last 12 months? The query received 11,063 responses with 16% indicating 10%, a larger group of 37% respondents indicated 10- 20% and 26% indicated 20-40%. A smaller group of 5% indicated a rise of 40-80% and 2% indicated over 80% increase while 14% of respondents did not give a clear response opting for “can’t say”.

The government cut the minimum threshold price for rice from $1,200 per tonne (raised in August) to $950 per tonne in September. The prices of many other varieties of rice have also reported to have risen 10-15% in the last two months.

As on August 8, in one year, the rice prices in the retail market have gone up by 10.63% and 11.12% in the wholesale market, according to a government statement.

Between September 21, 2019 and September 21, 2023, rice prices have increased by nearly a third, according to daily price data collected by the Department of Consumer Affairs from across the country.

Although there are hundreds of rice varieties grown in India, the survey asked consumers about the most popular ones eaten at their home. Nearly 27% indicated Sona Masuri; 23% said Basmati; 13% ponni rice; 2% jasmine rice; 4% brown rice; 2% samba rice; 2% bamboo rice; 4% white rice; and 21% indicated other rice not mentioned above. In addition, 2% did not give a clear response.

Data shows Sona Masuri, Basmati and Ponni are top three rice varieties consumed by urban Indians.

The survey received over 22,000 responses from citizens located in 315 districts of India. 68% respondents were men while 32% respondents were women. 41% respondents were from tier 1, 32% from tier 2 and 27% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts.