Brown rice market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Production of brown rice in Eastern Asia remained relatively stable between 2018 and 2023, ranging from 426 thousand tons to 460 thousand tons. The market has been concentrated among major players like Amira Nature Foods, Riviana Foods, and Daawat. Initially, consumer preference for polished rice due to its taste limited brown rice's market share, despite its nutritional value.

The total market volume showed significant volatility, driven largely by import fluctuations. It reached 816 thousand tons in 2018 and peaked again at 811 thousand tons in 2022, but fell sharply in 2019 and 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 lowered rice prices and created demand fluctuations, coinciding with a market increase to 696 thousand tons. Growing health awareness notably boosted demand for nutritious brown rice, contributing to the market expansion in 2022.

New product segments emerged, such as germinated brown rice, which gained attention as a functional food. By 2023, multi-colored brown rice brands experienced rapid growth, catering to sugar-conscious and fitness consumers. In 2024, health trends continued to shape the market, with the launch of larger, competitively priced brown rice packages that promoted it as a staple, alongside packaging innovations and e-commerce growth stimulating sales.

Production brown rice in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, brown rice production in Eastern Asia increased. In 2020, production reached 450.3 thousand tons, showing minimal change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 2.6%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 447.9 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year decline of 2.6% also occurring that year.

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

Exports brown rice from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Brown rice exports from Eastern Asia grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume stood at 243.8 thousand tons, marking a significant increase of 48.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 3 395.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 227.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Romania, and Spain were the key export partners for Eastern Asia's brown rice in volume terms. Bulgaria accounted for 9.2% of exports, Romania for 2.1%, and Spain for 1.4%. Together, these three countries represented 12.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of brown rice exports from Eastern Asia reached 180.0 million US dollars, up 38.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 38.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 129.8 million US dollars, when exports saw their largest decline of 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of brown rice exports from Eastern Asia was widely distributed among partner countries. Bulgaria contributed 3.7% of export value, Singapore 2.7%, and the United States 0.8%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 7.3% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market.

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

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

Imports brown rice to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, brown rice imports into Eastern Asia totaled 489.6 thousand tons, reflecting a sharp increase of 68.9% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 289.9 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 519.6 thousand tons. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019, with imports falling by 44.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Vietnam, and Thailand were the principal suppliers of brown rice to Eastern Asia in volume terms. The United States accounted for 26.9% of imports, Vietnam for 19.1%, and Thailand for 5.0%. Together, these three countries made up 51.0% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, brown rice imports into Eastern Asia rose. In 2020, import value amounted to 348.6 million US dollars, showing a substantial gain of 41.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 10.3%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 246.6 million US dollars, when imports experienced their largest decline of 15.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Vietnam, and Thailand formed the largest group of suppliers for brown rice imports into Eastern Asia in value terms. The United States contributed 28.6% of import value, Vietnam 15.1%, and Thailand 3.5%. However, their combined share was limited to 47.2% of total imports, reflecting a diversified supplier structure.

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

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