Iraq is the sixth largest importer of rice globally and the fourth largest producer of the crop in the Arab world, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said.

China, India, and Bangladesh were the top exporters of rice in 2023 and early 2024, according to the FAO.

China is the world’s largest producer of rice with 149 million tons, compared to India at 36.4 million tons.

Thailand and Vietnam are also among the top exporters of rice. India’s rice exports reached $10.4 billion, while Thailand sold $4 billion in rice exports, compared to Vietnam’s $2.5 billion.

China is also one of the main importers of rice, with rice imports reaching $2.62 billion, while rice imports in the United States amounted to $2.05 billion.

Iraq is the fourth largest producer of rice among Arab countries, behind Egypt, Mauritania, and Morocco.

Iraq imported 2,000 tons of rice in 2023 and 2024. The Philippines was the top importer of rice at 3,800 tons.