Milled rice and broken rice market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Colombia's milled and broken rice market expanded, with production rising from 1.9 million metric tons to 2.3 million metric tons. This growth was primarily driven by government storage incentives that encouraged farmers to plant more, coupled with a regulated price framework for green paddy rice that protected producer incomes. Institutional demand also received a boost from a 30% benefit on public purchases under Decree 248 and Law 2046.

In 2021, the market contracted sharply, with production falling to 1.7 million metric tons. This decline coincided with a significant increase in rice imports from the United States, Ecuador, and Peru, which heightened competitive pressure on domestic millers and reduced internal market volume. Initial discussions about adjusting the regulated paddy price due to lower international prices added further uncertainty.

Recovery began in 2022, supported by the implementation of new plant traceability rules that strengthened quality controls. The government's approval of base and maximum prices for drying, threshing, and storage services provided additional stability. By 2023, producer and consumer prices had risen markedly, reflecting earlier subsidies and inflation, while a new minimum purchase price for green paddy aimed to safeguard farmer profitability. In 2024, measures such as a 30% tariff on rice from Ecuador and public investment in a new processing plant were enacted to shield local production from growing import competition.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Colombia was among the world's leading producers of milled rice and broken rice from 2017 to 2020, ranking 19th globally by production volume.

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

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

Colombia's production of milled rice and broken rice increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 256 K t, marking a strong rise of 14.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest production was recorded in 2018 at 1 913 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 8.5%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Colombia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 414 times. In 2020, Colombia's cross-border shipments of milled rice and broken rice reached 2.0 K t, representing a steep increase of 38 158.7% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 99.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Free Zones, Haiti, and Venezuela formed the core group of markets for exports in kind, accounting for 97.8% of total flows. Free Zones led with 36.3% of exports, followed by Haiti at 33.6%, and Venezuela at 28.0%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, changing by 351-fold between these years. In 2020, the value of milled rice and broken rice leaving Colombia reached 1 782 K $ US, amounting to a sharp rise of 35 028.9% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 99.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Venezuela, Haiti, and Free Zones remained the main markets for exports in value terms, jointly taking 96.1% of total flows. Venezuela accounted for 33.1% of exports, Haiti for 32.7%, and Free Zones for 30.3%.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Colombia

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2019, differing by 1.8 times. In 2020, Colombia imported a total of 101.2 K t of milled rice and broken rice, constituting a contraction of 1.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 57.9 K t, which saw the largest decline of 15.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 102.4 K t, which also experienced the largest increase of 76.8%.

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

In 2017–2020, three main markets—the United States, Ecuador, and Peru—together absorbed 99.2% of total imports in kind of milled rice and broken rice to Colombia.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of milled rice and broken rice imports to Colombia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 73 907 K $ US, indicating a gain of 19.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 52.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 36 740 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 24.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 68.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States, Ecuador, and Peru formed the core of imports in value terms, together taking 98.7% of total flows. The United States accounted for 42.1% of imports, Ecuador for 32.0%, and Peru for 24.6%.

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

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