Broken rice market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The South American broken rice market reached 2.7 million tons in 2018, supported by Brazil's investments in production technology and expansion of arable land, alongside sustained output growth in Argentina. The following year, volume dropped to 2.2 million tons as planted area in Brazil contracted due to low profitability.

The COVID-19 pandemic further reduced the market to 2.1 million tons in 2020, with lower initial stocks and decreased planting. A rebound occurred in 2021, lifting volume to 2.4 million tons, driven by expanded cultivated area in Brazil and Argentina and increased demand for broken rice in animal feed and industrial uses such as bioethanol.

Market size fell again to 2.2 million tons in 2022 as strong export growth from Argentina diverted supply abroad. In 2023, despite an 8.6% rise in planted area in Brazil, production remained stable and high domestic supply maintained price pressure, leading to a slight decline to 2.1 million tons. Regulatory changes and public investments in rice mill infrastructure in Colombia also shaped the region's processing capacity during this period.

Production broken rice in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of broken rice, 2017-2020

South America's broken rice production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 2,819 thousand tons of broken rice, marking a 1.2% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 9.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3,320 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase of 28.5% occurring that same year. In contrast, the largest decline of 14.1% was observed in 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of broken rice output in South America reached 904.9 million US dollars, showing a modest increase of 9.7% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 14%, averaging an annualized rate of 4.5%. The peak value was achieved in 2018 at 978.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 23.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 15.6%.

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

Exports broken rice from South America

Exports in kind, K t

Broken rice exports from South America increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, shipments abroad totaled 718.0 thousand tons, reflecting a gain of 2.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 56.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of broken rice from South America in volume terms were Senegal, accounting for 29.7% of exports, Sierra Leone with 20.9%, and Gambia at 16.3%. Together, these three countries represented 66.9% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of broken rice exports from South America increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 230.5 million US dollars, which is 13.9% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 63.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three principal markets for broken rice exports from South America in value terms were Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Gambia. Together, they accounted for 69.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports broken rice to South America

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for broken rice in South America showed an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2020, imports amounted to 7.6 thousand tons, down by 72.5% compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 30.2 thousand tons, while the lowest was in 2020, resulting in a four-fold gap between these years. The largest annual increase of 17.0% occurred in 2018.

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

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of broken rice into South America totaled 16.2 million US dollars, representing an abrupt increase of 29.8% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 38.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the principal market for broken rice imports into South America, absorbing 0.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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