Rice (paddy) production in Nepal
In 2024 Nepal produced 6.0 million t of rice (paddy), the 16th largest in the world (0.73% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 24%. This is the highest figure on record. Area harvested: 1.4 million ha, yield 4.2 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 6.0 million t
- World rank
- 16 of 115
- 10-year change
- +24%
- Record
- 6.0 million t
- 2024
Rice (paddy) in Nepal, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Nepal compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.73%
- 0.64% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 4.2
- world 4.8 (−12%)
- kg per person
- 201
- world 100
- 10-year change
- +24%
- world +10%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Nigeria | 9,129,900 | 1.1% |
| 15 | Egypt | 6,430,000 | 0.78% |
| 16 | Nepal | 5,955,500 | 0.73% |
| 17 | Madagascar | 4,970,000 | 0.61% |
| 18 | South Korea | 4,783,114 | 0.58% |
Map of world production of rice (paddy)
Share of the world total; Nepal is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5,955,500 | +4.0% | 1,420,600 | 4.19 |
| 2023 | 5,724,234 | +4.3% | 1,438,989 | 3.98 |
| 2022 | 5,486,472 | +6.9% | 1,447,789 | 3.79 |
| 2021 | 5,130,625 | −8.7% | 1,477,378 | 3.47 |
| 2020 | 5,621,710 | +1.3% | 1,473,474 | 3.82 |
| 2019 | 5,550,878 | −1.1% | 1,458,915 | 3.80 |
| 2018 | 5,610,011 | +8.9% | 1,491,744 | 3.76 |
| 2017 | 5,151,925 | −1.5% | 1,469,545 | 3.51 |
| 2016 | 5,230,327 | +22% | 1,552,469 | 3.37 |
| 2015 | 4,299,079 | −10% | 1,362,908 | 3.15 |
| 2014 | 4,788,612 | −5.1% | 1,425,346 | 3.36 |
| 2013 | 5,047,047 | +12% | 1,486,951 | 3.39 |
| 2012 | 4,504,503 | −11% | 1,420,570 | 3.17 |
| 2011 | 5,072,248 | +14% | 1,531,493 | 3.31 |
| 2010 | 4,460,278 | +11% | 1,496,476 | 2.98 |
| 2009 | 4,023,823 | −11% | 1,481,289 | 2.72 |
| 2008 | 4,523,693 | +5.2% | 1,555,940 | 2.91 |
| 2007 | 4,299,264 | +17% | 1,549,262 | 2.78 |
| 2006 | 3,680,839 | −13% | 1,439,525 | 2.56 |
| 2005 | 4,209,279 | −1.9% | 1,549,447 | 2.72 |
| 2004 | 4,289,827 | −3.7% | 1,541,729 | 2.78 |
| 2003 | 4,455,722 | +7.8% | 1,559,436 | 2.86 |
| 2002 | 4,132,500 | −0.0% | 1,544,660 | 2.68 |
| 2001 | 4,132,600 | −0.8% | 1,544,660 | 2.68 |
| 2000 | 4,164,687 | −1.2% | 1,516,980 | 2.75 |
| 1999 | 4,216,465 | +10.0% | 1,560,044 | 2.70 |
| 1998 | 3,834,290 | +3.6% | 1,550,990 | 2.47 |
| 1997 | 3,699,770 | +1.6% | 1,514,210 | 2.44 |
| 1996 | 3,640,860 | −1.9% | 1,506,340 | 2.42 |
| 1995 | 3,710,650 | +3.7% | 1,511,230 | 2.46 |
| 1994 | 3,578,830 | +23% | 1,496,790 | 2.39 |
| 1993 | 2,906,180 | −17% | 1,368,420 | 2.12 |
| 1992 | 3,495,590 | +35% | 1,450,450 | 2.41 |
| 1991 | 2,584,900 | −26% | 1,262,110 | 2.05 |
| 1990 | 3,502,160 | +3.3% | 1,455,170 | 2.41 |
| 1989 | 3,389,670 | +3.2% | 1,432,850 | 2.37 |
| 1988 | 3,283,210 | +10% | 1,450,470 | 2.26 |
| 1987 | 2,981,780 | +26% | 1,423,290 | 2.09 |
| 1986 | 2,372,020 | −15% | 1,333,360 | 1.78 |
| 1985 | 2,804,490 | +3.5% | 1,391,040 | 2.02 |
| 1984 | 2,709,430 | −1.7% | 1,376,860 | 1.97 |
| 1983 | 2,756,980 | +50% | 1,334,200 | 2.07 |
| 1982 | 1,832,620 | −28% | 1,264,840 | 1.45 |
| 1981 | 2,560,080 | +3.9% | 1,296,530 | 1.97 |
| 1980 | 2,464,310 | +20% | 1,275,520 | 1.93 |
| 1979 | 2,059,930 | −12% | 1,254,240 | 1.64 |
| 1978 | 2,339,280 | +2.5% | 1,262,650 | 1.85 |
| 1977 | 2,282,430 | −4.4% | 1,264,060 | 1.81 |
| 1976 | 2,386,272 | −8.4% | 1,261,619 | 1.89 |
| 1975 | 2,604,751 | +6.2% | 1,255,795 | 2.07 |
| 1974 | 2,452,268 | +1.5% | 1,239,853 | 1.98 |
| 1973 | 2,416,054 | +20% | 1,227,027 | 1.97 |
| 1972 | 2,010,446 | −14% | 1,140,153 | 1.76 |
| 1971 | 2,343,826 | +1.7% | 1,200,760 | 1.95 |
| 1970 | 2,304,204 | +2.8% | 1,182,470 | 1.95 |
| 1969 | 2,241,233 | +2.9% | 1,173,170 | 1.91 |
| 1968 | 2,178,255 | +2.8% | 1,162,015 | 1.87 |
| 1967 | 2,119,429 | +5.6% | 1,154,290 | 1.84 |
| 1966 | 2,007,300 | −9.0% | 1,100,000 | 1.82 |
| 1965 | 2,207,000 | +0.3% | 1,111,000 | 1.99 |
| 1964 | 2,201,000 | +4.4% | 1,101,000 | 2.00 |
| 1963 | 2,109,000 | +0.0% | 1,090,000 | 1.93 |
| 1962 | 2,108,321 | +0.0% | 1,090,000 | 1.93 |
| 1961 | 2,108,000 | — | 1,088,000 | 1.94 |
Trade, 2024
- Imports
- 341,686 t USD 93.4 m
- Importer rank
- 3 of 149
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of rice (paddy) in Nepal?
Nepal produced 6.0 million t in 2024, 0.73% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Nepal rank in the world for production of rice (paddy)?
Nepal ranked 16th of 115 countries in 2024. The largest producer was India with 26.6% of the world total.
How has the production of rice (paddy) in Nepal changed?
It rose by 24% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +10% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
What is the yield of rice (paddy) in Nepal?
4.2 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (6.0 million t from 1.4 million ha), against a world average of 4.8 t/ha.
Does Nepal export or import rice?
In 2024 Nepal reported no exports and imports of 341,686 t (USD 93.4 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.