Rice provides 21% of global human per capita energy and 15% of per capita protein. Although rice protein ranks high in nutritional quality among cereals, protein content is modest. Rice also provides minerals, vitamins, and fiber, although all constituents except carbohydrates are reduced by milling.

In the 2017/2018 crop year, China produced about 149 million metric tons of milled rice, a higher volume than any other country. India came in second place with about 113 million metric tons of milled rice in that crop year.