Rice
Highlights
LDC is a world leader in the merchandizing of rice, a crucial staple that provides more than a fifth of the calories consumed by people worldwide
Merchandizer
Distributor
Supplier
About Rice
Approximately 488 million tons of rice are grown annually around the world. Asia accounts for around 90% of global rice production, 85% of global demand and 75% of the world’s exportable surplus.
Most rice is consumed as white rice (husked and polished), however rice flour is becoming popular with bakers as a gluten-free starch alternative, and rice milling by-products include bran, oil and starch.
Thailand, India and Vietnam are the world’s top three rice exporters, followed by the US, Pakistan, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil and Myanmar. Africa accounts for approximately one third of global demand.
Our Rice Value Chain
Each of our business lines is integrating further across the five steps of our value chain, as we respond to the need for a traceable and responsible supply line from farmer to consumer
01Originate & Produce
01Originate & Produce
02Process & Refine
02Process & Refine
03Store & Transport
03Store & Transport
04Research & Merchandize
04Research & Merchandize
05Customize & Distribute
05Customize & Distribute
01Originate & Produce
01Originate & Produce
02Process & Refine
02Process & Refine
03Store & Transport
03Store & Transport
04Research & Merchandize
04Research & Merchandize
05Customize & Distribute
05Customize & Distribute
Our Strengths
A highly experienced and diverse team, and our top-rate market research, are the foundations of our leading position in rice merchandizing.
Relying on our extensive global network, we work to meet increasing demand driven by steep population growth and urbanization. Leveraging LDC’s ocean freight capabilities, the Rice Platform serves a growing global market with competitively priced, quality products.
We are committed to upholding both industry best practices and our own strong risk management principles and standards in our rice origination, trading, sales and distribution activities.
We continue to expand our activities in Africa to consolidate our position as a leading supplier in the region.
Committed to Sustainable Rice
LDC is a leading purchaser of Asian rice, mostly in bulk from wholesalers and local traders. In 2019, we took steps to review and understand potential labor and human rights issues in our rice supply chains, working with relevant stakeholders in Thailand and Vietnam.
In Africa, we are working with partners to support smallholder rice farmers to increase their competitiveness and gain access to the domestic market.
A project with the Louis Dreyfus Foundation was established in 2018, with the aim of developing a sustainable supply chain from smallholder rice farmers in Boundiali, in northern Côte d’Ivoire. By connecting rice producers with processors, and then processors with the market, an inclusive, traceable and sustainable supply chain was built, helping the area’s rice sector transition from subsistence farming to small scale commercial agriculture.
Farmers are segmented into ’emerging producers’ and ‘agri-preneurs’ (market-oriented farmers) to offer support tailored to their production profile and ensure rice production for both self consumption and sale on the local market.
The project has since grown, and in 2021 continued to support more than 3,600 farmers. An ongoing production strategy is being developed in collaboration with farmers themselves and with local stakeholders.
Meet Our People
“I like the dynamic, ever-changing and challenging environment”
Akshay – Trading Manager, India
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