Is Geographical Indication Acting on Rice Export Price?

Abstract

Representing 30% of food intake of 60% of planet’s inhabitants, rice is a staple food all over the world. According to FAO, worldwide rice production is about 504 million tons (milled basis) in 2017, while international rice trade is 45 million tons. With almost 9% exported, rice is not the top trade food commodity. 43% of wine worldwide produced is exported, 23% of wheat, 11% of maize and 7% of meat.The rice market is mainly composed of coarse rice all over the world. It also includes 18% of aromatic rice, coming from a limited number of countries where the pedoclimatic conditions and human know-how make a specific terroir. Aromatic rice is often protected by a Geographical Indication (GI). This is the case of Basmati, from India and Pakistan, using a collective trade mark since 2008 in Pakistan, and Jasmine from Thailand, bearing a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) as Khao Hom Mali, since 2013.