Broken rice market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian broken rice market exhibited considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Market volume saw a moderate dip in 2019 before contracting sharply to 17.7 million tons in 2020. A powerful rebound followed in 2021, pushing volume to 27.3 million tons. The early part of the period was underpinned by robust export activity, with China being a key destination, using broken rice extensively in animal feed, beverages, and snack production.

After the 2021 peak, market volume adjusted to 25.0 million tons in 2022, largely due to a significant drop in imports. Domestic production, however, remained resilient, supported by key market players adopting new strategies and the development of genome-edited rice varieties in India enhancing yield potential. The market showed modest recovery in 2023, reaching 25.9 million tons.

Heading into 2024, the market environment continued to be shaped by multiple factors. These included the adoption of advanced mechanized farming and drought-resistant hybrid rice in countries like Vietnam and India, as well as India's stringent export restrictions on rice which tightened global supply. Growing demand from the animal feed and bioethanol industries, alongside challenges like drought and saltwater intrusion in key producing regions, further defined the market landscape.

Production broken rice in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of broken rice, 2017-2020

Broken rice production in Asia has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Asia produced 19 128 K t of broken rice, marking a 15.8% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.8%, with an annualized decline of 4.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 23 355 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 6.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of broken rice production in Asia has dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 8 108 M $ US, reflecting a modest 3.0% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 12.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.5%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 9 872 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 6.0%. The most significant decline was in 2019, with a drop of 15.4%.

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

Exports broken rice from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, broken rice exports from Asia have rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 2 945 K t, showing a dramatic 56.5% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 8.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 882 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 21.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, broken rice exports from Asia were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Senegal accounted for 11.5% of exports in kind, Côte d'Ivoire for 11.1%, and Belgium for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 32.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market for broken rice exports from Asia showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports varied 1.8-fold between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 248 M $ US, an 80.4% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 692 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 23.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for broken rice exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Côte d'Ivoire accounted for 11.5% of exports in value, Senegal for 10.4%, and Belgium for 7.2%. These three countries together represented 29.2% of total flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 70.8%.

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

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

Imports broken rice to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year reduction, broken rice imports into Asia have increased. In 2020, imports registered 1 532 K t, a 60.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 22%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 957 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 16.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading supplier of broken rice to Asia, accounting for 1.3% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market for broken rice imports into Asia experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Import values varied 1.8-fold between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, imports reached 763 M $ US, a 75.1% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 436 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the key source for broken rice imports in value terms, accounting for 1.7% of total flows.

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

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