Milled rice and broken rice market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

Production and market volume of milled rice and broken rice in ASEAN peaked in 2018 at 121.9 M t and 112.1 M t respectively, driven by rising consumption in the Asia-Pacific region and technological advancements in the industry. In 2019 and 2020, volumes declined to 111.8 M t for production and 103.3 M t for the market, largely due to adverse climatic conditions that constrained supply.

Government support through subsidies and minimum support prices for farmers in Asian countries stimulated a recovery in production to 117.2 M t in 2021. By 2023, the adoption of mechanized farming methods in Vietnam and new genetically edited rice varieties contributed to stabilizing production at 113.6 M t, while the market volume remained at 103.2 M t.

In value terms, the market grew to $74.8 billion in 2023, partly due to a shift in consumer demand towards premium varieties such as basmati and jasmine. International competition, intensified by changes in India's export policy and investments in processing facilities, also shaped market dynamics throughout the period.

Production milled rice and broken rice in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

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

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

ASEAN's production of milled rice and broken rice has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 111.8 million tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 3.1% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.1%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 121.9 million tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase that year of 2.4%. In contrast, 2019 saw the steepest drop, with production falling by 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, M t

Exports milled rice and broken rice from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of contraction, ASEAN's exports of milled rice and broken rice rebounded in 2020. Shipments reached 11 420 thousand tonnes, representing a strong increase of 11.7% compared to the previous year. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 32.5%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 12.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 10 224 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year decline occurring in 2018 at 26.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, ASEAN's exports of milled rice and broken rice were distributed across a wide range of partners. China accounted for 13.9% of exports, Benin for 8.3%, and South Africa for 5.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 27.2% of total export flows, indicating a relatively diversified market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ASEAN's exports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms amounted to 7 278 million US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 6.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, however, export value decreased by 12.6%, averaging an annual decline of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 839 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 8 710 million US dollars. The largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 21.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, ASEAN's exports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms were relatively evenly spread among partners. China led with 15.0% of export value, followed by Benin at 6.3% and the United States at 5.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 26.7% of total flows, reflecting a broad distribution.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. ASEAN's imports of milled rice and broken rice reached 2 896 thousand tonnes in 2020, up by 97.9% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 464 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 44.3%. Overall, imports peaked in 2020 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a two-fold difference between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Pakistan, and China were the key partners for ASEAN's imports of milled rice and broken rice in volume terms. India accounted for 8.6% of imports, Pakistan for 8.0%, and China for 0.6%. Together, they made up 17.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over this period. In 2020, ASEAN's imports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms totalled 2 030 million US dollars, corresponding to a slight decline of 1.2% compared to 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 2 458 million US dollars, while the lowest was in 2017. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2019 at 16.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 122.2%. Overall, imports peaked in 2018 and bottomed in 2017, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years.

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

In 2017–2020, India, Pakistan, and China consistently remained the main destinations for ASEAN's imports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms. India accounted for 9.3% of import value, Pakistan for 7.0%, and China for 0.7%. Together, they represented 17.0% of total flows.

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

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