Milled rice and broken rice market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, Moroccan production of milled rice and broken rice increased from 36 864 tonnes in 2018 to 41 209 tonnes in 2020. This growth was supported by public investments in the rice sector, including the development of 4 000 hectares in the Gharb and Loukkos plains under the 2015-2020 contract-programme, which expanded cultivated area and enhanced processing capacity. Meanwhile, imports remained high to compensate for rising domestic demand, with a sharp jump to 64 315 tonnes in 2020.

After a drop in production to 31 751 tonnes in 2021, output gradually recovered, reaching 37 449 tonnes in 2023. Imports, however, surged significantly, hitting 84 269 tonnes in 2023. This import growth was partly influenced by global rice supply tensions, including record-low world stocks in 2022/2023 that affected availability and likely prompted forward purchasing.

As a result, the total market volume expanded from 76 854 tonnes in 2018 to 121 711 tonnes in 2023, highlighting Morocco's continued reliance on imports to meet consumption, despite progress in local production.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Morocco's production of milled rice and broken rice has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 41,209 tonnes, marking a 7.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 27.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a staggering 49-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Morocco exported 119 tonnes of milled rice and broken rice, representing a sharp decline of 78.5% compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 556 tonnes, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a remarkable jump of 2,417.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Niger, Libya, and Gambia were the primary destinations for Morocco's milled rice and broken rice exports in kind. Niger accounted for 40.1% of exports, Libya for 26.0%, and Gambia for 14.8%. Together, these three countries absorbed 80.8% of Morocco's total exports in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Export volumes in value terms hit their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 12.5 times. In 2020, Morocco's shipments of milled rice and broken rice abroad amounted to 82,000 US dollars, a decrease of 64.2% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 271,000 US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in the same year, with a surge of 1,151.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Libya, Niger, and Spain were the main markets for Morocco's milled rice and broken rice exports in value terms. Libya represented 39.7% of exports, Niger 24.3%, and Spain 15.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 79.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes in kind were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest in 2020, with a 5.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Morocco imported 64,315 tonnes of milled rice and broken rice, reflecting a significant uptick of 76.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 9.5%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 256.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, Thailand, India, and Pakistan dominated Morocco's imports of milled rice and broken rice in kind. Thailand contributed 42.7% of imports, India 24.4%, and Pakistan 10.8%. Together, these three countries represented 77.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Noticeable fluctuations marked market performance during this period. Import values were lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 5.7-fold gap. In 2020, Morocco imported 34,211,000 US dollars worth of milled rice and broken rice, which is 74.4% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 7.0%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 249.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, India, and the United States formed the core of Morocco's imports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms. Thailand accounted for 43.3% of imports, India for 23.8%, and the United States for 10.9%. Collectively, these three countries took 78.0% of total import flows.

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

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