Milled rice and broken rice market in China

Earlier Report Observations

China's milled rice market volume stood at 132.0 million tons in 2018 but gradually declined to 124.3 million tons by 2021. Environmental stresses, including soil erosion and salinization, placed increasing pressure on agricultural land, likely limiting production growth during these years. The market operated under a high self-sufficiency model, with domestic supply and demand largely balanced.

The market stabilized around 125 million tons in 2022, though extreme weather events such as heatwaves and drought posed significant risks to production. Government support policies, including input subsidies and price mechanisms, helped cushion these impacts. By 2023, a clear shift in consumer preferences emerged, with rising incomes and urbanization fueling demand for premium and functional rice varieties, such as germinated and wash-free rice, creating new segments within the industry.

Production milled rice and broken rice in China

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

China was the world's leading producer of milled rice and broken rice from 2017 to 2020.

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

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

Following a two-year decline, China's production of milled rice and broken rice increased in 2020, reaching 128.3 million tonnes. This represented only a slight change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 2.5%, averaging an annual decrease of 0.8%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 127.6 million tonnes, with the largest drop of 2.5% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's production of milled rice and broken rice, measured in value terms, declined for the third straight year in 2020. Output was valued at 42 162 million US dollars, marking a moderate decrease of 4.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 22.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.3%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from China

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of milled rice and broken rice from China showed an unstable pattern during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, resulting in a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 2 022 thousand tonnes, down by 20.7% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 549 thousand tonnes, with the most significant increase of 85.1% taking place in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire (15.7% of export volume), Egypt (11.8%), and Turkey (6.7%) were notable but not dominant buyers of milled rice and broken rice from China. Together, they accounted for 34.2% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, China's export value of milled rice and broken rice declined in 2020, reaching 665 million US dollars, a drop of 24.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 58.3%, with a CAGR of 16.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 877 million US dollars, and the largest rise of 64.2% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated China's milled rice and broken rice exports in value terms. Côte d'Ivoire (13.3% of export value), Egypt (9.8%), and Turkey (6.2%) together held only 29.3% of total export value, with numerous smaller partners each contributing modest shares.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to China

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decrease, China's import volume of milled rice and broken rice rose in 2020, totaling 2 880 thousand tonnes, a robust increase of 16.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 26%, averaging an annual decline of 9.6%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 2 480 thousand tonnes, with the largest drop of 22.9% recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam (40.7% of import volume), Thailand (23.4%), and Pakistan (13.8%) were the primary sources for China's milled rice and broken rice imports, collectively making up 77.8% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, China's import value of milled rice and broken rice increased in 2020, reaching 1 447 million US dollars, up by 16.2% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 19%, with an average annual reduction of 6.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 245 million US dollars, and the most significant decline of 21.5% also occurred that year.

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

During 2017-2020, Vietnam (40.5% of import value), Thailand (27.0%), and Pakistan (10.9%) remained the key suppliers of milled rice and broken rice to China, jointly accounting for 78.4% of total import value.

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

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