Milled rice and broken rice market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Brazilian milled rice market volume contracted, falling to 7.4 million tons in 2019, primarily due to a sustained reduction in planted area caused by low producer profitability and competition from more lucrative soybean crops. The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 exacerbated supply constraints, leading to price spikes and prompting the government to eliminate import tariffs for 300 thousand tons of rice from outside Mercosur to stabilize domestic availability.

Market volume recovered to 8.6 million tons in 2021 as production improved, but record nominal prices highlighted persistent tight supply against firm demand. By 2022 and 2023, continued low profitability maintained the downward trend in planted area, with the 2022/23 harvest being the smallest in two decades. Falling retail consumption limited recovery, though a decline in export volumes in 2023 helped increase domestic supply, raising the market volume to 8.3 million tons.

Intense external demand for Brazilian rice was a constant factor, supported by the Brazilian Rice export promotion project. In 2024, exports of milled rice reached 1 million tons, a 7% volume increase, while rice price indices hit a 15-year high driven by Asian export restrictions.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil ranked as the world's 10th largest producer of milled rice and broken rice.

Top producers of milled rice and broken rice, 2018-2021

World map of production of milled rice and broken rice, 2018-2021

Brazil's production of milled rice and broken rice grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 8 758 thousand tons, marking an 8.9% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production declined by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest output was in 2019 at 7 833 thousand tons, which also saw the steepest drop of 12.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Brazil's milled rice and broken rice production value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 4 045 million US dollars, reflecting a strong 22.2% gain over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value increased by 21.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 900 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 12.7% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Brazil

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Brazil's exports of milled rice and broken rice fell. In 2021, the country shipped 606.2 thousand tons abroad, a 30.4% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports dropped by 18%, with a compound annual decline rate of 6.4%. The peak was in 2020 at 870.6 thousand tons, which also saw the highest increase of 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, key buyers of Brazil's milled rice and broken rice included Senegal (17.8% of exports in volume), Peru (13.1%), and Gambia (12.3%). However, their combined share accounted for only 43.1% of total exports, with the remaining 56.9% spread across numerous other trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of gains, Brazil's milled rice and broken rice export value declined. In 2021, exports totaled 280.0 million US dollars, a sharp 21.9% drop from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export value increased by 2.5%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was in 2020 at 358.4 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 22.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, Brazil's milled rice and broken rice exports reached a diverse range of markets. Peru (17.3% of export value), Senegal (14.0%), and Venezuela (11.2%) together made up just 42.5% of total export value, while many smaller destinations comprised the remaining 57.5%.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Brazil

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year rise, Brazil's imports of milled rice and broken rice decreased. In 2021, the country imported 401.7 thousand tons, down 24.3% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The peak volume was in 2020 at 530.5 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 33.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Paraguay (58.4% of import volume), Uruguay (19.9%), and Argentina (14.7%) consistently served as the main sources for Brazil's milled rice and broken rice imports, together accounting for 93.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Brazil's milled rice and broken rice import value totaled 200.9 million US dollars, showing a significant 18.5% decrease from the year before. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value rose by 20.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 160.7 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2020 at 246.4 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 53.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Paraguay (52.0% of import value), Uruguay (21.6%), and Argentina (16.9%) dominated Brazil's milled rice and broken rice imports in value terms, jointly representing 90.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021