Broken rice market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for broken rice in ASEAN declined from 14.0 million tonnes in 2018 to 9.9 million tonnes in 2023, with a particularly sharp contraction to 8.6 million tonnes in 2020. Early in the period, Thailand's rice sector began a transition with the launch of the Thai Rice NAMA Project in August 2018, aiming to reduce methane emissions from cultivation. Concurrently, the aging farming population and the end of domestic price support policies in Thailand introduced long-term challenges for production sustainability.

Global market shifts became pronounced by 2023. India's imposition of export restrictions on non-basmati white rice and broken rice disrupted world supply, contributing to elevated international prices. Simultaneously, the El Niño weather phenomenon caused drought and heat stress across Southeast Asia, threatening rice yields and creating supply uncertainties that influenced regional production and trade flows.

Production broken rice in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of broken rice, 2017-2020

ASEAN's broken rice production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 10 375 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 28.0% drop from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 26.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 9.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 15 366 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 9.2% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

ASEAN's broken rice production value also decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 577 million US dollars, showing a sharp contraction of 10.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value declined by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.8%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 6 115 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 16.7% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 19.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports broken rice from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 195 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, broken rice exports from ASEAN amounted to 2 198 thousand tonnes, reflecting a substantial increase of 83.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 32.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal consistently served as the main destinations for ASEAN's broken rice exports in volume terms. China accounted for 28.8% of exports, Côte d'Ivoire for 14.6%, and Senegal for 12.4%. Together, these three countries represented 55.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations throughout the period. Export values hit their lowest in 2019 at 422.6 million US dollars and reached their highest in 2020, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ASEAN exported 969.6 million US dollars worth of broken rice, showing a sharp uptick of 129.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 40.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, China, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal formed the primary cluster of markets for ASEAN's broken rice exports in value terms. China held a 32.9% share, Côte d'Ivoire 14.7%, and Senegal 11.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 58.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020

Imports broken rice to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

After rising for two years, ASEAN's broken rice import volumes declined. In 2020, imports totaled 446 thousand tonnes, corresponding to an 8.9% contraction from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 36.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 490 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 34.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan and India were the key suppliers of broken rice to ASEAN, with their combined share reaching 39.7% of total imports in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

ASEAN's broken rice import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 234.2 million US dollars worth of broken rice, constituting a 17.9% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 60.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Pakistan and India held leading positions in ASEAN's broken rice import structure in value terms, with a joint share of 35.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020