Brown rice market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The brown rice market in Northern America expanded from 234 thousand tons in 2018 to 260 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was supported by production capacity increases, including Farmers’ Rice Cooperative's acquisition of a California rice mill in November 2020 and Riviana Foods' facility expansion, alongside the acceleration of e-commerce which improved product accessibility.

Market volume then contracted to 232 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 214 thousand tons in 2022. During this period, key industry developments included Riviana Foods launching new health-oriented packaging under its Success Rice brand and a continued consumer shift toward organic and gluten-free options, though these factors did not offset the overall volume decline in those years.

A sharp recovery followed in 2023, with the market reaching 317 thousand tons. This surge reflects the cumulative impact of earlier investments in production and distribution channels, as well as sustained health and convenience trends among consumers.

Production brown rice in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Brown rice production in Northern America has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 251.8 K t, representing a 7.1% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern America's brown rice production has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 212.3 M $ US, marking a 10.0% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 27.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%.

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

Exports brown rice from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

Brown rice exports from Northern America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 2.4 K t, representing a 35.5% year-over-year loss. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 16.8%, with a CAGR of -6.0%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 4.2 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 43.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of brown rice from Northern America were Hong Kong (11.0% of exports in kind), Egypt (9.9% of exports in kind), and the United Arab Emirates (1.6% of exports in kind). Together, these three countries accounted for 22.5% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, exported brown rice volumes from Northern America declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 042 K $ US, indicating an abrupt fall of 33.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 6.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 083 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 37.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong (2.8% of exports in value terms), Egypt (1.5% of exports in value terms), and the United Arab Emirates (0.8% of exports in value terms) remained the leading destinations in the export structure by value. Their combined share accounted for 5.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports brown rice to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import volume occurred in 2018 at 6.7 K t, while the highest was recorded in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 61 times. In 2020, Northern America's brown rice imports totaled 10.9 K t, up by 4.7% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 98.3%, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 54.1%.

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

The market base for imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was wide. India (7.6% of imports in kind), Thailand (2.9% of imports in kind), and Argentina (2.9% of imports in kind) jointly accounted for just 13.5% of total flows, with the remaining 86.5% shared by numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Northern America imported a total of 39 892 K $ US of brown rice in 2020, marking a small advance of 1.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.3%, with a CAGR of 1.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the role of India (8.8% of imports in value terms), Thailand (3.9% of imports in value terms), and Pakistan (3.2% of imports in value terms) as suppliers of brown rice to Northern America was notable but not dominant. Their joint share reached only 15.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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