Brown rice market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, brown rice production in the CIS rose as Russia's total rice harvest increased by 5.2% and production profitability reached 34% through improved cultivation technologies, supporting market volume growth to 52.1 thousand tonnes.

Market volume contracted to 44.8 thousand tonnes in 2020 but rebounded strongly in 2021 to 55.0 thousand tonnes, driven by a jump in production as profitability climbed to 58.2%. In 2022, a temporary restriction on rough rice exports was implemented to secure domestic supply, coinciding with a modest production decline.

By 2023, production profitability had surged to 83.5% due to new rice varieties and enhanced technologies, helping lift production to 50.8 thousand tonnes. A sharp rise in imports pushed the total market volume to a record 62.9 thousand tonnes. In 2024, state support and a sector development plan contributed to a record overall rice harvest, while the ban on rough rice exports was extended and tariff quotas were introduced for processed rice exports to maintain domestic availability.

Production brown rice in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, brown rice production in the CIS declined. In 2020, the region produced 40 881 tonnes of brown rice, marking a 7.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 44 322 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 5.9%.

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

Exports brown rice from CIS

Exports in kind, t

Brown rice exports from the CIS have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 1 734 tonnes, up 31.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 84.9%, translating to an annualized rate of 22.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 848 tonnes, which saw a 9.6% decline that year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 56.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Ukraine, and Iraq consistently led as the top buyers of brown rice from the CIS. Turkey accounted for 8.4% of exports in kind, Ukraine for 3.9%, and Iraq for 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented 15.3% of total brown rice exports from the region.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the CIS exported brown rice worth 1 709 thousand US dollars, a sharp decrease of 44.3% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 068 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 265.3% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Ukraine, and Afghanistan were the largest buyers of brown rice from the CIS in value terms, though they did not dominate the market. Turkey accounted for 16.5% of exports in value, Ukraine for 11.4%, and Afghanistan for 1.9%. Collectively, these three partners made up 29.9% of total export value, with many smaller partners contributing to the rest.

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

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

Imports brown rice to CIS

Imports in kind, t

Brown rice imports into the CIS have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 5 643 tonnes, down 37.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 13.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.8%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 9 677 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 48.0% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Pakistan, and India remained the main suppliers of brown rice to the CIS. Thailand accounted for 36.7% of imports in kind, Pakistan for 16.2%, and India for 10.2%. Together, these three countries supplied 63.1% of total brown rice imports to the region.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 1.9-fold gap between these years. In 2020, the volume of brown rice imports into the CIS totaled 3 955 thousand US dollars, down 36.3% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 491 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 92.9% that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand, India, and Pakistan formed the key group of partners for brown rice imports into the CIS in value terms. Thailand accounted for 41.8% of imports in value, India for 18.8%, and Pakistan for 16.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 76.7% of total import flows.

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

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