Brown rice market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018 and 2019, the Asian brown rice market volume remained stable at around 2.4 million tonnes, supported by growing consumer interest in healthy eating and the adoption of new processing technologies. The market, however, contracted to 2.0 million tonnes in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic reduced demand from the food service sector, despite sustained consumer preference for brown rice as a healthful option.

Post-pandemic recovery lifted the market to 2.9 million tonnes in 2021. A significant expansion to 3.4 million tonnes followed in 2022, largely driven by export restrictions implemented by India—a major producer—including a ban on broken rice shipments and a 20% duty on non-basmati rice. These measures were designed to increase domestic availability and curb local price inflation, thereby boosting internal market volume alongside continued health-conscious consumption trends.

Market volume receded to 2.8 million tonnes in 2023, a adjustment from the prior year's high, while underlying consumer trends remained positive. During this period, scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of brown rice strengthened, and online sales channels provided expanded access for buyers.

Production brown rice in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Asia's brown rice production saw a two-year increase before declining in 2020. That year, production reached 3 275 K t, marking a 9.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 3 627 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 16.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of brown rice output in Asia was 2 292 M $ US, rising by 7.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 2 124 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.4%.

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

Exports brown rice from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, brown rice exports from Asia totaled 1 580 K t, showing a moderate decrease of 5.5% compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 525 K t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 1 673 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for brown rice in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Côte d'Ivoire accounted for 6.3% of exports, Madagascar for 4.0%, and the United Kingdom for 3.9%, together representing 14.3% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 85.7%.

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

After a two-year decline, brown rice export values from Asia increased in 2020. Exports reached 1 106 M $ US, equivalent to a 12.9% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 979 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, brown rice exports in value terms from Asia were characterized by a broad spread across markets. The United Kingdom accounted for 5.1% of exports, Belgium for 3.8%, and Côte d'Ivoire for 3.4%, together representing only 12.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports brown rice to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Asia's brown rice imports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports amounted to 321 K t, showing a steep decline of 29.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 62.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 27.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States played a leading role in brown rice imports to Asia, accounting for 15.4% of imports in kind. Australia and Greece each contributed 1.2%, with these three countries jointly taking 17.7% of total flows.

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

After a two-year drop, brown rice import values into Asia increased in 2020. Import volume totaled 513 M $ US, representing a significant increase of 19.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 430 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 27.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for brown rice imports in value terms to Asia were the United States, accounting for 17.9% of imports, Australia for 1.3%, and Greece for 0.8%. Together, these countries accounted for 20.1% 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