Leslie Massey
Rice is a staple food for more than half of the world's population, yet less than 10% of the rice grown globally is available for international trade. This raises the question of whether countries like Australia, which are not traditional rice-growing regions, should enter the market. Australia has around 2,000 family-operated rice farms, mostly in the Riverina region of NSW, which is renowned for its climate and soil quality. The Australian rice industry is highly efficient, achieving high yields and using 50% less water than the global average. However, rice growing in Australia is entirely dependent on water availability, and the allocation of water to grow rice in a time of increasing global food scarcity is a critical issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Region | Riverina, Southwest New South Wales |
| Annual Production | 750,000 tonnes |
| Rice Varieties | White rice, brown rice, Japonica, Indica |
| Sowing Period | October-November |
| Plant Height | 60-100 cm |
| Harvest Cycle | 3 weeks |
| Moisture Content at Harvest | 18-22% |
| Water Source | Murray Darling Basin |
| Water Efficiency | 50% less water than the global average |
| Irrigation Management | Landformed fields to maximise water productivity |
| Soil Type | Heavy soils with high water-holding properties |
| Climate | Temperate with summer sunshine and warm temperatures |
| Farm Size | Average of 400 hectares |
| Farm Management | Rotation with wheat, barley, canola, mixed farming with livestock |
| Export Destinations | Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, America, the Pacific |
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What You'll Learn
Rice-growing regions in Australia
Australia's largest rice-growing region is the Riverina region in southwest New South Wales, which produces around 750,000 tonnes of rice each year. The region is known for its temperate climate, clean environment, and fertile soils, making it ideal for rice cultivation. The Riverina region includes the Murrumbidgee valleys, where around 2,000 family-operated farms grow rice. The average size of an Australian rice farm is around 400 hectares.
The Riverina region offers agricultural tours, providing visitors with insights into rice farming practices, including growth, fertilisation, yields, and water management. These tours showcase the entire farming process, from the selection of paddocks and planting methods to the harvesting and packaging of rice for export or domestic consumption.
Another significant rice-growing region in Australia is the Murray region, spanning across New South Wales and Victoria. This area benefits from water allocations from the Murray Darling Basin, a vital source of irrigation water for rice cultivation. The combination of favourable seasonal conditions and efficient water management has contributed to strong yields in the Riverina-Murray region.
Additionally, the Northern Rivers region in New South Wales is also involved in rice production. However, this region has faced challenges due to extreme flooding events in recent years, impacting rice crop yields. Nevertheless, the Northern Rivers region continues to contribute to the overall rice production in the country.
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Rice exports
Australia exports rice to over 70 destinations worldwide, including Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and America. In FY24, rice exports from the Port of Melbourne, Australia's largest general cargo and container port, reached a six-year high, with a total of 12,443 TEU exported. This significant increase in exports, up by 620% since FY21, can be attributed to favourable growing seasons, improved industry productivity, and the successful expansion of international markets by the Australian rice exporter SunRice.
The Riverina region in southwest New South Wales is the largest rice-producing region in Australia, yielding an average of 750,000 tonnes of rice annually. The region's temperate climate, clean environment, and fertile soils contribute to its suitability for rice cultivation. Australian rice is grown using 50% less water than the global average, showcasing the country's leadership in water use efficiency.
The Australian rice industry is characterised by around 2,000 family-operated farm businesses, primarily located in the Murrumbidgee and Murray valleys of New South Wales and Victoria. These farms adhere to strict regulations regarding water use and soil approval for rice cultivation. The average size of an Australian rice farm spans around 400 hectares, emphasising the significant scale of rice production in the country.
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Water scarcity
The Murray-Darling Basin, a major food-producing region, has experienced a decline in irrigated land from 2001 to 2006 due to drought. This has had a significant impact on rice production, which is entirely dependent on irrigation. When there is low or zero water availability, rice cannot be grown. The Riverina region in southwest New South Wales, the largest rice-producing area in Australia, sources its irrigation water from the Murray-Darling Basin.
The Australian rice industry is highly water-efficient, using 50% less water than the global average. However, the country's overall water scarcity has implications for global food security, as Australia is a significant exporter of rice and other agricultural commodities.
The increasing demand for water by non-agricultural sectors, including environmental restoration, further intensifies the challenges of water scarcity in Australia. The country has developed water markets to efficiently allocate scarce water resources between competing uses. Nevertheless, the combination of rising water scarcity and changing agricultural activity in response to water availability in Australia has the potential to impact global food markets.
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Rice farming processes
Rice farming is a complex process that requires careful planning and management. It is a major staple food for many cultures and countries, and its cultivation methods can vary depending on the environmental conditions and available resources. Here is a step-by-step guide to the rice farming processes:
Land Preparation
Before planting rice, farmers prepare the land using precision GPS and laser-guided earth-moving equipment to create uniform grades and slopes within the fields. This helps decrease water usage and increase productivity. The soil should be semi-acidic with very little drainage, and heavy clay or loam soil is ideal as it retains water well.
Seed Selection and Soaking
Farmers select and purchase rice seeds from local nurseries or gardening stores, ensuring they have enough seeds for their crop size. The seeds are then soaked in non-chlorinated water for 24-36 hours or until germination begins, helping to initiate the growth process.
Planting
Rice seeds are typically planted in October and November in Australia. Farmers use modern methods such as airplanes or grain drills for planting. The seeds are planted at a depth of about 30mm, and water is applied to initiate the growth process. Rice plants grow to a height of 3-4 feet over approximately 120 days after planting.
Irrigation Management
Rice is a semi-aquatic plant that requires consistent irrigation throughout the growing season. Farmers employ various irrigation methods, such as poly-tubing with punched holes, to apply water evenly across the field. The water level should be maintained at two inches above the soil when the plants are young and increased to four inches as the rice stalks grow taller.
Pest and Weed Control
Throughout the growth period, farmers must regularly check for and remove any weeds that may compete with the rice plants for nutrients. Pesticides are also commonly used to control pests and diseases. However, their excessive use can have negative environmental impacts, so caution is advised.
Harvesting
The harvest cycle typically takes about three weeks when the moisture content in the plants is at an optimum level of 18-22%. During harvesting, combines cut the rice and separate the grain from the stalks. The harvested grains are then dried to further reduce moisture content before the milling process.
Milling and Marketing
The final step in rice growing is milling, a mechanized process that removes the inedible hulls from the "rough rice." This yields brown rice with the bran layers intact. After milling, the rice is packaged and prepared for export or stored for use as seed for the next season's crop. Rice is then exported or sold in the domestic market, with strict quality standards and tracking in place to ensure food safety and consistency.
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Rice varieties in Australia
Australia's rice industry is relatively small, with around 2,000 family-operated rice farms in the Murrumbidgee and Murray valleys of NSW and the Murray valleys of Victoria. The average size of an Australian rice farm is around 400 hectares. The Riverina region in southwest New South Wales is the largest rice-producing region in Australia, producing around 750,000 tonnes of rice each year. The Riverina region is known for its ideal rice-growing conditions, including a temperate climate, clean environment, and fertile soils.
The Australian rice industry is highly efficient in its water use, with Australian-grown rice using 50% less water than the global average. Rice growing in Australia is entirely dependent on water availability for irrigation, and rice can only be grown on approved soils. The sowing of white and brown rice typically occurs in October and November, with water applied in December. The harvest cycle takes about three weeks, and the moisture content of the plants is maintained at an optimum of 18-22%.
After harvest, rice grains are analysed in a lab to ensure they meet national standards, and the grains are segmented according to quality for sale in different market segments. Most Australian rice is exported, with around 85% going to over 70 destinations, including Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and America. The remaining 15% is supplied to the domestic Australian market.
Rice growers in Australia include both conventional and organic farmers. Organic rice is grown without the use of fertilisers, pesticides, or herbicides, adhering to strict standards for certified organic produce. SunRice is the parent company to which most rice growers deliver their crops for processing, and it holds the sole and exclusive export licence for Australian rice.
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Frequently asked questions
More than half of the world's population relies on rice as their staple food, yet less than 10% of all the rice grown on the planet is available for global trade. Australia can contribute to filling this gap in the market.
The Riverina region in Southwest New South Wales is the largest rice production region in Australia, producing on average 750,000 tonnes of rice each year. The Riverina's climate and heavy soils are uniquely suited to the production of high-quality rice.
Rice is generally divided into two types of species: Indica (adapted to tropical climates like South-East Asia) and Japonica (adapted to more temperate climates like Australia's). The Australian rice industry produces mostly Japonica types of rice, although some Indica characteristics have been introduced through a rice-breeding program.
Rice growing in Australia is entirely dependent on water for irrigation being made available. Australian rice growers are efficient and sophisticated producers of rice: they achieve high yields, operate under strict environmental controls, and are rapid adopters of new technology. Rice farmers grow rice in rotation with other crops such as wheat, barley, and canola.
