Milled rice and broken rice market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Ecuador's milled rice market volume showed significant swings. The drop to 774 thousand tons in 2019 was driven by a lower government-guaranteed minimum price for paddy rice and adverse weather phenomena like El Niño and La Niña, which reduced planted area and yields. The market rebounded to 968 thousand tons in 2020.

A sharp 53% contraction in public credit to the rice sector in 2021 contributed to a decline in market volume to 790 thousand tons. That year, the state intervened through the Ministry of Agriculture and the public company UNA EP, purchasing milled rice and absorbing inventories to regulate prices and ensure farmers received the official price. In 2022, the government set a guaranteed minimum price of USD 32 per quintal of paddy rice and credit volume for cultivation increased, helping to stabilize the market at 790 thousand tons.

Market volume expanded to 871 thousand tons in 2023, supported by a further rise in credit for rice cultivation to USD 113 million and the continuation of state price and inventory interventions.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador maintained the 26th position globally in terms of production volume for milled rice and broken rice.

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

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

In 2020, Ecuador produced 1 011.3 thousand tonnes of milled rice and broken rice, marking a 25.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 803.2 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 1 064.4 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline was observed in 2019, when production dropped by 24.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Ecuador's production of milled rice and broken rice rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 756.1 million US dollars, representing a 50.2% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 503.4 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year amounting to 19.2%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports of milled rice and broken rice from Ecuador reached 44 057 tonnes in 2020, which is 51.8% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 8.0%, while the most substantial increase was in 2018, surging by 6 965.5%. From 2017 to 2020, the peak-to-trough amplitude spanned a factor of 99 times.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of milled rice and broken rice from Ecuador were almost entirely concentrated in Colombia, which accounted for 99.1% of the total volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Ecuador exported 32 939 thousand US dollars worth of milled rice and broken rice in 2020, up by 81.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.6%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, rising by 5 179.4%. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with an amplitude of 94 times between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia dominated the partner structure for exports in value terms, consistently representing 98.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

Ecuador's import volume of milled rice and broken rice increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 1 018 tonnes, showing a sharp year-on-year rise of 344.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 583.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 89.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Peru and the United States accounted for the majority of imports in kind of milled rice and broken rice to Ecuador, with other markets playing a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Ecuador's import volume of milled rice and broken rice continued to rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 670 thousand US dollars, up by 117.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 258.1%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 53.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States and Italy were the dominant sources for imports in value terms of milled rice and broken rice to Ecuador, jointly making up 80.3% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among smaller markets.

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

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