Milled rice and broken rice market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The CIS market for milled rice and broken rice grew from 1.0 million tons in 2018 to 1.5 million tons in 2023. Initial expansion through 2019 was fueled by an increase in rice sown area in Russia, which reached 194,100 hectares, and by rising production profitability that incentivized higher output. A slight contraction in 2020 coincided with the beginning of a sustained reduction in sown area.

Market growth resumed strongly from 2021 onward despite continued shrinkage of sown area, as production profitability surged to 58.2% in 2021 and 83.5% in 2023 due to technological advances and improved farm management. The introduction of a temporary restriction on rice exports in 2022, later extended, significantly curtailed outbound shipments, increasing domestic availability. Global factors, including India's export ban, influenced international trade flows and prices.

Consumer preferences gradually shifted toward healthier options like brown and parboiled rice, with their share in retail sales growing by over 10%, supporting demand diversification alongside a broader trend of import substitution that strengthened domestic production.

Production milled rice and broken rice in CIS

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 2020, CIS countries produced 923 thousand tons of milled and broken rice, showing little change from the previous year. Compared to 2019, production remained stable. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 863 thousand tons, marking the largest decline of 12.6% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 7.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, milled and broken rice production in CIS countries declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 649.5 million US dollars, representing a significant decrease of 11.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall production increased by 23.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.3%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 735.6 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 29.2%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, milled and broken rice exports from CIS countries increased. In 2020, exports totaled 103.1 thousand tons, showing a modest growth of 3.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 38.8%, with an average annual decline of 15.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 99.3 thousand tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 26.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in volume terms was diversified. Belgium accounted for 9.2% of exports, Ukraine for 8.3%, and Turkey for 6.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 23.6% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Milled and broken rice exports from CIS countries declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 72.6 million US dollars, marking a modest reduction of 8.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 19%, averaging an annual decline of 6.8%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Turkey accounted for 9.0% of exports, Ukraine for 8.7%, and Mongolia for 8.1%. Combined, these three countries captured only 25.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of increase, milled and broken rice imports into CIS countries declined. In 2020, imports reached 329.8 thousand tons, representing a 12.8% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 14.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 378.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 22.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Thailand, and Pakistan consistently remained the main sources for imports in volume terms. India accounted for 30.3% of imports, Thailand for 12.3%, and Pakistan for 11.4%. Together, these three countries represented 54.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, milled and broken rice imports into CIS countries declined. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 188.7 million US dollars, down by 10.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 15.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 210.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 20.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—India, Thailand, and Pakistan—together accounted for 59.4% of total imports in value terms for milled and broken rice into CIS countries.

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

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