Milled rice and broken rice market in Mexico

Earlier Report Observations

The Mexican market for milled rice and broken rice saw considerable volatility from 2018 to 2021. Volume dropped to 852 thousand tons in 2019 before rebounding sharply to 1 197 thousand tons in 2020, a growth of over 40%. This increase was propelled by a significant rise in domestic production, which jumped from 813 thousand tons to 1 115 thousand tons, supplemented by higher imports. The market's underlying structure has been characterized by a persistent reliance on imports from countries like the United States, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina to meet domestic consumption needs.

Market volume peaked at 1 317 thousand tons in 2021, then experienced a slight decline to 1 271 thousand tons in 2022, stabilizing around 1 275 thousand tons in 2023. During the latter period, demand-side factors emerged, including the expansion of the food and beverage industry, rising disposable incomes, and a shift in consumer habits toward international cuisines. A growing preference for organic rice, driven by health awareness and sustainable agricultural practices, also began influencing the market landscape. Despite these demand signals, domestic production retreated after 2021, reinforcing the market's dependence on imported rice.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Mexico ranked 26th globally in milled and broken rice production between 2018 and 2021.

Top producers of milled rice and broken rice, 2018-2021

World map of production of milled rice and broken rice, 2018-2021

Mexico's production of milled and broken rice grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 1,176.8 thousand tonnes, marking a 5.6% increase from 2020. Over the 2018–2021 period, production rose by 36.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.9%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 812.6 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 5.8%. In contrast, 2020 recorded the biggest increase at 37.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Mexico

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. They reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 4,241-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Mexico's exports of milled and broken rice totaled 0.1 thousand tonnes, a sharp year-on-year drop of 99.0%. The highest export volume was in 2020 at 15.1 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, surging by 169,509.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Venezuela, and the Netherlands were Mexico's key export partners for milled and broken rice in volume terms. The United States accounted for 49.0% of exports, Venezuela for 30.6%, and the Netherlands for 20.3%, together making up 99.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values were highly volatile over these years. The lowest value was in 2018, and the highest in 2020, with a 2,573-fold gap between them. In 2021, Mexico's exports of milled and broken rice amounted to 0.2 million US dollars, a sharp decline of 97.8% compared to 2020. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 8.6 million US dollars, while the largest increase happened in 2019, jumping by 149,723.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States and Venezuela were the core markets for Mexico's milled and broken rice exports in value terms, jointly representing 87.7% of total flows. Other destinations had relatively smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Mexico

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes experienced notable swings. They were at their lowest in 2019 and highest in 2021, with a 3.1-fold difference. In 2021, Mexico imported 140.6 thousand tonnes of milled and broken rice, a sharp increase of 45.4% from 2020. The minimum volume was in 2019 at 45.1 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 64.1%. The biggest rise occurred in 2020, climbing by 114.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States and Uruguay were the main sources of Mexico's milled and broken rice imports in volume terms, together accounting for 80.6% of total imports. The remaining share was spread across other partners with smaller contributions.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values displayed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. The lowest value was in 2019 and the highest in 2018, with a 2.7-fold variation. In 2021, Mexico's imports of milled and broken rice totaled 103.4 million US dollars, up 13.6% from the previous year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 44.7 million US dollars, which had the largest decline of 62.6%. The largest increase was in 2020, rising by 103.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018–2021, the United States and Uruguay dominated Mexico's milled and broken rice imports in value terms, together holding 80.3% of the total. Other suppliers played a less significant role.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021