Broken rice market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the French broken rice market fluctuated, reaching 136.1 thousand tons in 2019 before dipping to 130.3 thousand tons in 2020. Domestic production remained modest, influenced by a multi-year contraction in rice cultivation area that reduced local output.

The market expanded to a peak of 147.7 thousand tons in 2022. This surge was driven by new domestic capacity, including Marbour's second production site opened in December 2022, and severe global supply disruptions. India's suspension of broken rice exports and a 20% export tax, combined with extreme heat and floods in India and Pakistan that destroyed large basmati crops, tightened worldwide availability and increased French import demand. The EU's preemptive stock building further boosted import volumes.

Market volume eased to 140.9 thousand tons in 2023 as global rice prices hit a 15-year high due to sustained Indian export restrictions and processing halts in third countries. During this period, French producers like Avril launched new premium basmati varieties, and organic rice production continued to gain share. By 2024, rice cultivation area in France rebounded after years of decline, supporting further local production expansion.

Production broken rice in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of broken rice, 2017-2020

In 2019, France produced 23,993 tonnes of broken rice, marking the highest output in recent years. However, production dropped sharply to 16,439 tonnes in 2020, representing a 31.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 20.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 15,937 tonnes. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when output surged by 50.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in France in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of broken rice production in France was $7,708 thousand US dollars, down 15.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 22.3%, with an average annual decline of 8.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $6,433 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 35.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, with production value rising by 41.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in France in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports broken rice from France

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of broken rice from France declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 4.0 thousand tonnes. This represents a notable decrease of 17.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 35.5%, with an average annual decline of 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for French broken rice exports in volume terms were Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Together, these countries accounted for 68.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, the value of broken rice exports from France increased slightly in 2020 to $1,881 thousand US dollars, up 1.5% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 37.1%, with an average annual decline of 14.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $1,854 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 22.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the key partners for French broken rice exports in value terms. Spain accounted for 28.9% of export value, Germany for 16.7%, and the United Kingdom for 16.3%. Together, these three countries represented 61.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports broken rice to France

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, France imported 117.9 thousand tonnes of broken rice, showing a slight year-on-year increase of 0.8%. The largest decline in imports occurred in 2019, falling by 0.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, rising by 1.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import structure for broken rice in volume terms was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. The Netherlands accounted for 18.8% of imports, Myanmar for 16.1%, and Belgium for 11.6%. Together, these three countries represented 46.5% of total import flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 53.5%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of broken rice imports into France increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching $59,429 thousand US dollars. This represents a gain of 9.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 14.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for broken rice imports into France in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 18.2% of import value, Cambodia for 13.8%, and Myanmar for 12.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 44.7% of total import value, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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