Rice Facts

Some of the interesting facts about the Australian rice industry include:

• Australia can produce  more than 1 million tonnes of rice annually and can feed up to 40 million people per day

• Rice is an annual crop and is only grown when there is water available in the system

• When water availability is sufficient, Australian rice is supplied to more than 60 countries around the world

• From paddock to plate, Australian grown medium grain rice uses less water than any other country on earth – 50% less than the global average

• Australian rice growers recycle all their water and use the moisture left in the soil after harvest, to grow another crop

• Australian rice growers only grow temperate rice varieties that suit our climate

• Australian growers produce the highest yielding crops in the world, around 10 tonnes per hectare

• The Australian rice industry was the first Australian agricultural industry to initiate biodiversity enhancement, greenhouse gas reduction strategies and a project to recover water under the Living Murray Project

• The Australian rice industry contributes to supporting regional towns across South Western NSW and Northern Victoria