Milled rice and broken rice market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for milled rice and broken rice in Central Asia expanded significantly from 2018 to 2023, with total market volume rising from 487 thousand tons to 674 thousand tons, an increase of 38%. This growth occurred alongside a rise in domestic production from 515 thousand tons to 623 thousand tons over the same period, indicating an overall expansion in supply and consumption.

Market volume experienced considerable volatility, peaking at 617 thousand tons in 2019 before contracting to 504 thousand tons in 2020. After a recovery to 557 thousand tons in 2021 and a slight dip to 528 thousand tons in 2022, the market surged to its highest level of 674 thousand tons in 2023. These movements were accompanied by fluctuating import and export levels, which contributed to the year-to-year changes in available supply.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Central Asia

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, Central Asia's production of milled rice and broken rice saw the largest increase at 11.8%, but this was followed by a modest decline of 9.7% in 2020, bringing output to 519.9 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 12.8% decrease, resulting in the lowest production level of 515.3 thousand tonnes that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12%, averaging an annualized decline of 4.2%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of decline, Central Asia's exports of milled rice and broken rice rebounded in 2020, reaching 52 587 tonnes, a 5.2% increase from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 49 975 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 23.0%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 34.6%, translating to an average annualized drop of 13.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for milled rice and broken rice in Central Asia was highly diversified. Russia accounted for 35.7% of exports in kind, Ukraine for 9.1%, and Azerbaijan for 3.6%, together making up only 48.4% of total flows. The remaining 51.6% was distributed across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Central Asia's milled rice and broken rice exports rose to 28 602 thousand US dollars, marking a strong gain of 23.3% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 10.1% drop. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 32.1%, averaging an annualized growth rate of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan were the largest buyers of milled rice and broken rice from Central Asia in value terms, contributing 28.7%, 9.5%, and 6.2% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 44.4% of total export value, reflecting a diversified country structure with no single market dominating.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2019, Central Asia recorded the highest import volume of milled rice and broken rice at 91 386 tonnes, which was also the year with the largest increase of 149.3%. By 2020, imports fell to 36 763 tonnes, a 59.8% decrease from the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.1 times between 2017 and 2019.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Russia, Pakistan, and India were the key partners for Central Asia's imports of milled rice and broken rice in kind. Russia accounted for 21.4% of imports, Pakistan for 12.6%, and India for 3.4%, together making up 37.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend over this period. In 2019, imports peaked at 42 327 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 95.5% recorded that year. By 2020, imported volumes declined to 22 989 thousand US dollars, a 45.7% drop from 2019. The lowest point was in 2017, resulting in a 3.1-fold gap between the peak and trough.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Russia accounted for 33.1% of imports, Pakistan for 5.8%, and India for 5.1%, together totaling just 43.9% of total flows, with no country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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