Broken rice market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the broken rice market in Latin America and the Caribbean contracted from 3.6 million tons to 2.8 million tons. A long-term reduction in the irrigated rice research program by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), which began scaling down in the 1990s, likely limited innovation and contributed to this decline. However, initiatives like the Latin American Fund for Irrigated Rice (FLAR) continued to generate and disseminate technologies to enhance competitiveness. By 2020, Brazil, a key regional player, was driving market transformation through agricultural research that boosted yields and expanded exports to countries like Venezuela and Peru, helping to stabilize supply.

Market volume rebounded to 3.2 million tons in 2021, fueled by shifts in demand and supply patterns following the COVID-19 pandemic, which heightened focus on staple foods like rice. In value terms, the market grew even more sharply, reaching $1.4 billion. Entering 2022, rising health consciousness among consumers stimulated demand for healthier rice products, such as brown rice and rice syrup, prompting manufacturers to launch new brands and items, though the total physical volume of the broken rice market saw a modest dip.

By 2023, market volume fell to 2.6 million tons, partly due to a structural regional deficit where rice demand exceeds production capacity by nearly one million tons annually. Brazil solidified its role as the leading producer and exporter, influencing regional supply dynamics. Concurrently, niche segments like rice protein grew, driven by demand for vegan and healthy alternatives. In 2024, the International Rice Conference in Panama and ongoing research led by FLAR and local companies are fostering innovation in breeding and sustainable production to adapt the sector to post-pandemic challenges.

Production broken rice in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of broken rice, 2017-2020

In Latin America and the Caribbean, broken rice production reached 3 262 K t in 2020, marking a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 15.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 615 K t, which represented a significant 28.3% increase. However, in 2019, production saw its largest decline of 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of broken rice output in Latin America and the Caribbean was 1 103 M $ US in 2020, up 10.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 22.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 6.9%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 1 144 M $ US, reflecting a 26.7% rise. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports broken rice from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Broken rice exports from Latin America and the Caribbean have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 717.2 K t of broken rice, a 2.2% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 42.3%, with an average annual increase of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Gambia—collectively accounted for 61.9% of total broken rice exports in volume from Latin America and the Caribbean.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of broken rice exports from Latin America and the Caribbean has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 242.5 M $ US, an 8.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 50.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Gambia were the primary export partners in value terms, contributing 27.6%, 19.6%, and 14.9% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 62.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports broken rice to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

Broken rice imports into Latin America and the Caribbean have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 298.9 K t, a sharp 42.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 49.2%, with an average annual decline of 20.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 608.5 K t, which saw a 3.5% increase. The largest drop occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam and the United States were the main sources of broken rice imports into Latin America and the Caribbean, together making up 66.2% of total import volume.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of broken rice to Latin America and the Caribbean have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 206.3 M $ US, down 11.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value declined by 21.5%, with an annualized decrease of 7.8%. The peak value was in 2018 at 312.7 M $ US, marking a 19.0% increase. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 25.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, Vietnam and the United States were the leading suppliers of broken rice to Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms, jointly accounting for 67.2% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020