Brown rice market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for brown rice in Central Asia expanded from 43 828 t in 2018 to 62 081 t in 2023, marking a 42% increase over the period. This growth was supported by rising domestic production, which climbed from 42 372 t to 50 824 t, alongside a significant surge in imports, which reached 12 562 t in 2023.

The market experienced fluctuations, with a notable contraction in 2020 to 41 736 t, followed by a strong recovery. In 2018, the establishment of the State Committee for Investment and State Property Management in Tajikistan aimed to improve the investment climate, potentially fostering development in the agricultural sector. Later, in 2022, amendments to the country's Administrative Offenses Code introduced regulatory changes that could affect market conditions for agricultural products, coinciding with a slight market dip to 50 875 t that year.

By 2024, legislative measures had made secondary education compulsory and revised regulations governing holiday observances, adding new dimensions to the consumer and regulatory environment for agricultural products.

Production brown rice in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Brown rice production in Central Asia saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 44,322 tons. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 40,881 tons, representing a 7.8% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.2% overall, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 5.9%.

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

Exports brown rice from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

Brown rice exports from Central Asia totaled 880 tons in 2020, showing a sharp increase of 55.5% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 86.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.1%. The largest decline in exports was recorded in 2019, when they fell by 14.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Iraq, and Afghanistan were consistently the main destinations for brown rice exports from Central Asia. Russia accounted for 5.1% of exports in volume, Iraq for 3.8%, and Afghanistan for 2.5%. Together, these three countries represented 11.4% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market for brown rice in Central Asia showed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a dramatic 11.3-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, the value of brown rice exports from Central Asia was $697,000, which marked a substantial decline of 63.3% from the previous year. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at $1,902,000, representing an impressive increase of 319.9% from the prior year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market in value terms was characterized by a balanced rather than concentrated partner structure. Russia was the largest partner, accounting for 17.8% of export value, followed by Afghanistan at 3.8% and Iraq at 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented 25.2% of total export flows, while numerous other countries accounted for the remaining 74.8%.

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

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

Imports brown rice to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

Brown rice imports into Central Asia exhibited considerable volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a five-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia imported approximately 1,734 tons of brown rice, representing a sharp contraction of 68.9% from the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5,584 tons, which marked a significant increase of 163.8% from 2018.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, Russia, and Thailand remained the key suppliers of brown rice to Central Asia. Pakistan accounted for 29.3% of imports by volume, Russia for 3.8%, and Thailand for 3.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 36.7% of total import flows during these years.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market for brown rice in Central Asia experienced irregular changes between 2017 and 2020, indicating a volatile trading environment. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest point in 2019, with a 4.5-fold gap between these years. In 2020, the value of brown rice imports into Central Asia was $980,000, down by 71.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum import value was recorded in 2019 at $3,416,000, representing a substantial increase of 175.4% from 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, Russia, and Thailand continued to be the leading suppliers of brown rice to Central Asia in value terms. Pakistan accounted for 48.5% of import value, Russia for 8.9%, and Thailand for 6.1%. Together, these three countries represented 63.4% of total import value during this period.

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

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