Milled rice and broken rice market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

The Kazakh market for milled and broken rice grew by 20% to 219 тыс. т in 2019, driven by increased processing activity as major producers in the Kyzylorda region actively scaled up output. This expansion was followed by a sharp 41% contraction to 129 тыс. т in 2020, resulting from lower domestic production and reduced imports alongside higher exports.

Market volume stabilized around 137 тыс. т in 2022 despite a reduction in planted area, supported by a rise in imports of cheaper rice, particularly from China. A strong recovery then took hold in 2023, with the market expanding by 36% to 187 тыс. т, a period that saw the introduction of new traceability and labeling rules for rice and global price pressures following India's export ban.

In the first half of 2024, production and domestic sales of rice continued to advance, while imports remained elevated. Regulatory efforts to tighten product control progressed, highlighted by the launch of mandatory drug labeling in July, reflecting a broader trend toward stricter marking requirements.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Kazakhstan

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

Kazakhstan's production of milled rice and broken rice declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 277.2 thousand tons, marking a 4.1% increase. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 221.5 thousand tons, representing a 20.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 14.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Kazakhstan's production of milled rice and broken rice in value terms declined. In 2018, the largest increase was recorded at 26.7%. Output peaked in 2019 at 79 405 thousand US dollars, but by 2020, it had dropped to 60 015 thousand US dollars, down 24.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production in value terms increased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kazakhstan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Kazakhstan's exports of milled rice and broken rice in volume terms increased. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 79.3 thousand tons, with a 15.1% decrease. By 2020, exports had risen to 101.2 thousand tons, showing a significant 27.6% year-on-year growth. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Kazakhstan's exports of milled rice and broken rice in volume terms were Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Together, they accounted for 80.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Kazakhstan's exports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms saw their largest decline at 10.9%. By 2020, exports had increased to 27 407 thousand US dollars, up 20.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports in value terms grew by 27.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of milled rice and broken rice from Kazakhstan in value terms were Tajikistan, accounting for 33.6% of exports, Russia with 28.7%, and Uzbekistan at 10.9%. Collectively, these three markets formed 73.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of milled rice and broken rice into Kazakhstan showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, imports were at their lowest point, while they peaked in 2019 at 20.8 thousand tons, marking a 137.3% increase. By 2020, imports had fallen sharply to 9.0 thousand tons, a 56.5% decrease from the previous year. Overall, imports varied by a factor of 2.9 between the high in 2019 and the low in 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia dominated Kazakhstan's imports of milled rice and broken rice in volume terms, accounting for 79.2% of total imports. The remaining volume was distributed among many other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Kazakhstan's imports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms experienced noticeable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, imports were at their lowest, while they reached a peak in 2019 at 11 579 thousand US dollars, with a 113.0% increase. By 2020, imports had decreased to 5 134 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 55.7% drop from the previous year. Over this period, imports varied by a factor of 2.7 between the high and low points.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the dominant source for Kazakhstan's imports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms, accounting for 83.3% of total import flows. Other countries contributed relatively small shares to the import structure.

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

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