Broken rice market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The broken rice market in China experienced notable shifts between 2018 and 2020. A reduction in domestic rice output in 2018 contributed to higher global prices, stimulating export potential. Market volume dipped to 1.80 million t in 2019 as imports fell, then recovered to 2.33 million t in 2020 with increased import volumes.

Market expansion accelerated dramatically, reaching 3.81 million t in 2021 and peaking at 4.86 million t in 2022, driven primarily by soaring imports. Severe drought in the Yangtze River basin in 2022 affected rice yields, while evolving consumer preferences, including growing demand for high-quality rice powder, shaped market conditions. Despite reported decreases in procurement by some processing enterprises, import volumes rose substantially to meet domestic needs.

A sharp correction followed in 2023, with market volume dropping to 2.15 million t as imports declined. This period saw continued weather disruptions, including floods and droughts, which impacted domestic rice supply and quality alongside an improving global rice supply situation. By 2024, imports decreased further to 633 000 t, supported by the ongoing state minimum purchase price policy and technological innovations like Wuxi Gold Agriculture Biotechnology's use of broken rice to produce high-value rice protein, enhancing product附加值.

Production broken rice in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked sixth globally in broken rice production volume.

Top producers of broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of broken rice, 2017-2020

China's broken rice production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 1 332 K t, up 2.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%.

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

Exports broken rice from China

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 at 0.6 K t, marking a sharp decline of 13.9% compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 10.8 K t. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, falling by 93.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 841.6%. Overall, volumes dropped 17-fold from their peak in 2018 to their trough in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt remained China's dominant export partner for broken rice in kind, accounting for 77.1% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 5.7 times. In 2020, China exported 0.8 M $ US of broken rice, representing a substantial decrease of 11.8% compared to 2019. The maximum value was 3.8 M $ US in 2018. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 76.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 467.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China's broken rice exports in value terms were primarily directed toward Egypt and Japan, which together accounted for 94.0% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

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

Imports broken rice to China

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 499.7 K t and peaked in 2020 at 994.7 K t, a two-fold increase. In 2020, China's broken rice imports totaled 994.7 K t, equivalent to a steep gain of 99.1% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, falling by 25.3%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Thailand (37.6% of imports in kind), Vietnam (32.8% of imports in kind), and Pakistan (18.0% of imports in kind) were the primary suppliers of broken rice to China, jointly accounting for 88.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 195.7 M $ US, while the highest was in 2020 at 424.3 M $ US, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.2 times. In 2020, imported broken rice volumes in China stood at 424.3 M $ US, indicating a gain of 116.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 24.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand (39.0% of imports in value terms), Vietnam (38.4% of imports in value terms), and Pakistan (14.5% of imports in value terms) formed the main cluster of markets for imports in value terms, with a combined share of 91.9% of total flows.

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

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