Milled rice and broken rice market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The Argentine rice market experienced initial regulatory support in 2018 when Law 11 declared rice a national food security crop, establishing technical and credit assistance for producers. In 2019, the MERCOSUR technical regulation for processed rice fixed identity, quality, and parboiling requirements, while an amendment to the Argentine Food Code formally recognized rice bran as a usable industrial by-product. Market volume contracted that year to 395 thousand tons. A rebound began in 2020 as increased production concentration—with 10% of producers controlling over 70% of sown area—favored the expansion of large mills and improved efficiency. This recovery accelerated sharply in 2021, when the launch of the new premium genetic variety KIRA INTA, commanding prices 2–3 times higher than traditional rice, stimulated market segmentation and drove volume to a peak of 614 thousand tons.

Severe drought and wildfires in Corrientes significantly reduced cultivated area and yields, leading to a steep contraction in market volume to 435 thousand tons in 2022. This was compounded by ANMAT's prohibition of the 'Arroz Gallo – Grano de Oro' brand for non-compliance with labeling regulations, which constrained supply. By 2023, the market stabilized at 436 thousand tons. During this period, the introduction of the new certified seed variety Angiru INTA CL aimed at improving yields began creating opportunities for premium exports to Brazil and Chile.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

In 2019, Argentina's production of milled rice and broken rice reached its lowest point at 648.1 thousand tons, marking a 15.7% decline from the previous year. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 699.0 thousand tons, showing a moderate increase of 7.8% compared to 2019. The peak production occurred in 2018 at 768.9 thousand tons. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 4.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of milled rice and broken rice output in Argentina hit its minimum at 272.4 million US dollars, representing a 19.4% drop from the previous year. By 2020, the value rose to 325.5 million US dollars, up 19.5% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 338.0 million US dollars.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Argentina

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, Argentina's exports of milled rice and broken rice fell to their lowest level at 259.5 thousand tons, a decrease of 12.8% from the previous year. Exports then increased in 2020 to 269.1 thousand tons, up 3.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 11.4%, with an average annual decrease of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Argentina's milled rice and broken rice exports in volume terms were Chile, accounting for 32.7% of exports, Brazil with 22.7%, and Iraq at 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 70.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of Argentina's milled rice and broken rice exports dropped to its lowest point at 109.1 million US dollars, a decline of 16.6% from the previous year. By 2020, exports increased to 125.3 million US dollars, up 14.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 8.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary buyers of milled rice and broken rice from Argentina in value terms were Chile, with 29.3% of exports, Brazil at 24.0%, and Iraq with 15.8%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 69.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Argentina

Imports in kind, K t

In 2018, Argentina's imports of milled rice and broken rice reached their lowest point at 6.3 thousand tons, a decrease of 31.1% from the previous year. Imports then grew for two consecutive years, reaching a value in 2020 that was 31.3% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.7%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay was the leading source for Argentina's milled rice and broken rice imports in volume terms, holding a 79.9% share of total flows, while other markets accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2018, the value of Argentina's milled rice and broken rice imports fell to its minimum at 3.4 million US dollars, a drop of 28.2% from the previous year. Imports then increased for two consecutive years, with 2020 imports amounting to 4.4 million US dollars, up 24.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 6.7%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Paraguay dominated as the supplier of milled rice and broken rice to Argentina in value terms, accounting for 77.6% of total imports, with other countries making up the rest.

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

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