We look at the nations that can’t live without rice in this list of the 11 countries that consume the most rice. For some countries in the world, rice is a staple food and something that is consumed by many daily. One of the reasons that rice is popular in these places is mainly due to the fact that the grain can be found in abundance. Now the reasons behind the spread and popularity of rice in some countries especially Asia can be contributed to different factors. A lot of people may however just speculate on its origins. Rice could have been discovered by accident, could have spread through the popular trading system of ancient times, etc. There are many possibilities but only one assurance. These countries definitely consume a lot of rice.
You’ll find that rice is a versatile grain. It can be paired with almost anything. From different vegetables to all types of meat, even the 11 Countries that Consume the Most Chicken in the World probably had some rice with their poultry meals. What countries do you think are included in this list of heavy rice consumers? As you might have guessed, some countries in this list are also a few of the largest producers and shippers of the grain.
As mentioned earlier, a lot of these countries are from Asia as they are culturally known to be the main consumers of rice. Though there are some other countries that make the exception as well. Let’s find out as we start this list:
11. Nigeria
Nigeria is the major importer and consumer of rice in Africa. They spend a billion Nigerian Nairas (their currency) a day for the costs of importation of rice. Due to the large amount of imported rice the country receives, local production has actually become stunted. Many government officials are concerned because they choose to import rice from Thailand and India instead of growing their own.
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10. Brazil
Rice is one of the staple foods for the country of Brazil alongside beans and cassava. In recent years rice has seen an increase in consumption while the other two have faltered in numbers. Almost all regions in Brazil cultivate and produce rice, with most of it being produced from Rio Grande do Sul.
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9. Japan
The first Asian country of many to be included in this list, Japan definitely considers rice as a staple food. The average Japanese diet includes a lot of rice for their unique meals. From wrapped food to rice balls, rice is found in almost all snacks and meals. Their numbers however are not as high compared to others due to their dwindling population.
8. Myanmar
Along with being one of the largest consumers of rice, Myanmar or Burma is one of the largest exporters of rice in the world. These numbers, however, have fallen in recent years due to restrictions of modern agricultural applications like fertilizer and herbicides. Because of these restrictions farmers are not getting the yield they should, compared to other countries.
7. Thailand
Rice has been the reason for the stabilization of the economy of Thailand as it accounts for almost half of its gross domestic product. Thailand is a very resource-rich country and the abundance of rice along with other products like maize, durian, pineapple and rubber has helped the country bounce back from the global economic crisis.
6. Philippines
Like Thailand, the Philippines also benefits from their large production of rice along with other products that are grown and exported from the country. They have seen a large amount of growth from their number of farm lands and the amount they yield. A lot of the areas in the Philippines, however, fail to reach the optimal amount of yield as a lot of the farms have not yet caught up to modern standards.
There are more rice consuming countries to mention as we continue this list of the 11 countries that consume the most rice.
5. Vietnam
The high consumption of rice in Vietnam can be attributed to an ever increasing population. The geography of the country is very good for production of rice. A lot of their farms are near rivers and sources of water.
4. Bangladesh
Rice production in Bangladesh has been increasing in recent years. Nevertheless, rice consumption has fallen a little in numbers. Bangladesh was formerly the largest consumer of rice around the world.
3. Indonesia
Due to the high amount of consumption in Indonesia, the government is heavily involved with the maintenance of rice in terms of production and price. Aside from rice, Indonesia also produces banana, peanuts, coffee, and a lot of other products.
2. India
The second largest population in the world can definitely be considered second on this list with more than half of their population consuming rice daily. Their government is investing in maintaining their rice production as the population continues to increase.
1. China
Of course, the largest population in the world is definitely the largest consumer of rice. The numbers of consumption are however really interesting as no other country comes near to how much rice China consumes on an annual basis.
There you have it the 11 countries that consume the most rice. If you’re looking to find rice in your daily diet then these countries are definitely the ones to go for.
