Milled rice and broken rice market in Laos

Earlier Report Observations

The market for milled rice and broken rice in Laos expanded in volume from 2.45 million tonnes in 2018 to 2.91 million tonnes in 2023, driven by a rise in domestic production to 2.89 million tonnes. In value terms, the market contracted from $1.92 billion to $1.18 billion over the same period, indicating significant price fluctuations or changing economic conditions.

Government-led initiatives to expand rice export markets beyond neighboring countries provided a direct stimulus for increased production. The concurrent development of e-commerce platforms for agricultural goods, supported by state-owned enterprises like Lao Telecom, enhanced domestic market access and consumption. For 2024, the official launch of a national e-commerce platform and events such as the Laos Product Fair 2024 aimed to bolster trade and demand, although high inflation and currency depreciation affected consumer purchasing power.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Laos

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Laos ranked as the 17th largest producer of milled and broken rice between 2017 and 2020.

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

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

In 2020, Laos produced 2 473 thousand tonnes of milled and broken rice, marking a slight decline of 2.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 15.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 5.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 452 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 16.4% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2019, rising by 3.5%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Laos

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. From 2019 to 2020, there was a peak-to-trough amplitude of 3.5 times. In 2020, Laos exported 101.2 thousand tonnes of milled and broken rice, representing a substantial increase of 252.0% compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 28.7 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 17.9% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Vietnam, and Belgium were the top buyers of milled and broken rice from Laos, accounting for 52.5%, 25.6%, and 14.2% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 92.3% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Noticeable fluctuations characterized market performance during this period. From 2019 to 2020, the peak-to-trough amplitude was 2.7 times. In 2020, milled and broken rice exports from Laos reached 48 722 thousand US dollars, a strong increase of 173.4% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 17 820 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 31.8% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Vietnam, and Belgium were the principal destinations for exports in value terms, with shares of 44.1%, 33.1%, and 14.5%, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 91.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Laos

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, showing a 4.8-fold fluctuation. In 2020, Laos imported 49.5 thousand tonnes of milled and broken rice, equivalent to a steep increase of 74.2% from the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 28.4 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 50.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 176.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports in kind were highly concentrated, with Thailand and Vietnam together accounting for 97.2% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2017, differing by 2.3 times. In 2020, Laos imported 35 750 thousand US dollars of milled and broken rice, corresponding to an 82.1% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 19 640 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 39.1% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms were strongly focused on Thailand, which held a 70.3% share of total flows, with other partners accounting for the remaining volume.

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

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