Milled rice and broken rice market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for milled rice and broken rice in Latin America and the Caribbean fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 22 107 thousand tons and ending at 20 788 thousand tons. An initial decline in 2019 was driven by structural factors, including trade agreements such as NAFTA and reduced state intervention, which lowered domestic production and increased reliance on imports. A supply deficit in 2020 further underscored this dependency, yet it also helped stimulate a recovery in production over the following two years.

Favorable weather conditions in 2022 supported crop yields, while value‑adding initiatives, like the Denomination of Origin for Morelos rice, enhanced product differentiation and market positioning. By 2024, coordinated price regulation among producers, millers, and distributors contributed to market stability despite production cost fluctuations.

Throughout the period, the region remained heavily dependent on imports to meet domestic consumption, with global rice production trends and international trade dynamics continually influencing local supply and prices.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Latin America and the Caribbean

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 Latin America and the Caribbean, production of milled rice and broken rice reached 20 892 K t in 2020, marking a 4.7% increase from the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 3.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.2%. The lowest production level was observed in 2019 at 19 954 K t, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 21 957 K t. The most significant drop in production was recorded in 2019, when it fell by 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of milled rice and broken rice output in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at 12 373 M $ US in 2020, reflecting a robust 12.1% rise compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 11 036 M $ US, and the maximum was in 2018 at 14 691 M $ US. The largest decline in value occurred in 2019, with a drop of 24.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up by 18.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of milled rice and broken rice from Latin America and the Caribbean grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 2 545 K t, representing a sharp increase of 27.8% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 56.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 16.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 1 509 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 7.1%. Conversely, the most substantial increase was in 2019, with a jump of 31.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the export partner portfolio for milled rice and broken rice from Latin America and the Caribbean was quite diverse. Key destinations included Senegal, accounting for 7.3% of exports in kind, Iraq at 6.3%, and Sierra Leone at 5.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 18.7% of total export flows, highlighting a broad distribution across many markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values for milled rice and broken rice from Latin America and the Caribbean rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 507 M $ US, a significant 36.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values grew by 62.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, major buyers of milled rice and broken rice from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms included Iraq, with 6.8% of exports, Senegal at 5.2%, and Sierra Leone at 3.7%. However, even combined, these three countries made up just 15.7% of total export value, indicating a highly diversified partner base with many other destinations contributing to the flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, imports of milled rice and broken rice into Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to 1 567 K t, showing a 5.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports fell by 31.4%, averaging an annual decline of 11.8%. The largest drop occurred in 2018, with a 27.4% reduction, while the biggest increase was a modest 0.1% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, imports in kind of milled rice and broken rice to Latin America and the Caribbean were not heavily concentrated. The United States accounted for 24.0% of imports, Vietnam for 13.0%, and Thailand for 1.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 38.1% of total import flows, with the remainder spread across a wide array of other sources.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, imports of milled rice and broken rice into Latin America and the Caribbean rebounded in 2020. Imports reached 1 646 M $ US, up 26.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values increased by 16.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 300 M $ US, and the largest decline was in 2018, down 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The country composition of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. The United States held 25.6% of import value, Vietnam 11.9%, and Thailand 1.1%. Combined, these three countries formed just 38.6% of total flows, with the remaining 61.4% distributed among numerous other destinations, underscoring a diversified import structure.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020