India's Basmati story for Kharif 2026 is shaping up positively

India's Basmati story for Kharif 2026 is shaping up positively. 🌾

The latest acreage and production estimates indicate a stronger Basmati crop across major producing regions, supported by favorable weather conditions, better sunshine during grain filling, and improved yields, particularly in short-duration varieties.

Key takeaways

✅ Haryana is expected to lead production at ~44.5 lakh MT, followed by Punjab (~35.2 lakh MT), Madhya Pradesh (~32.5 lakh MT), and Western Uttar Pradesh (~32.3 lakh MT).

✅ PB-1692 and PB-1718 continue to gain significant acreage and farmer preference across key growing belts.

✅ Punjab and Haryana benefited from increased sunshine hours, which improved grain quality and yield potential.

✅ Overall Basmati production is expected to be higher than last year, supporting export availability and market confidence.

⚠️ Some crop loss has been reported in parts of Western Uttar Pradesh due to excessive rainfall during late September, though the overall outlook remains positive.

For exporters, millers, traders, and inspection companies, the 2026/27 season points toward healthy arrivals, improved availability of premium varieties, and continued strength in India's Basmati value chain.

Originally shared on LinkedIn on 8 October 2026.