Milled rice and broken rice market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for milled and broken rice in Brazil showed notable volatility. The volume dropped to 15.4 million tonnes in 2019, primarily due to a reduction in planted area and production that tightened domestic supply, coupled with increased export competitiveness which diverted more rice abroad. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global supply chains, but large Brazilian processing mills maintained operations, enabling production to rise and supporting a slight market recovery to 15.5 million tonnes.

From 2021 to 2023, market dynamics continued to shift. A 4.5% increase in national production during 2021 expanded the market volume to 17.0 million tonnes. The following year, an estimated 3.8% drop in the harvest reduced available supply, pulling the market down to 16.1 million tonnes. By 2023, a significant 14.7% contraction in export volumes, alongside sustained processing activity in Rio Grande do Sul, allowed the domestic market to grow again to 16.6 million tonnes, even as internal rice prices reached high levels.

Production milled rice and broken rice in South America

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 South America, production of milled rice and broken rice reached 17 719 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 5.3%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 16 981 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 18 924 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop in production was observed in 2019, when it fell by 10.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of milled rice and broken rice production in South America stood at 9 642 million US dollars in 2020, showing a strong growth of 12.6% compared to the prior year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, however, the total production value decreased by 2.6%, averaging an annual decline of 0.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 8 565 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 9 947 million US dollars. The largest decline in value occurred in 2019, with a drop of 13.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports milled rice and broken rice from South America

Exports in kind, K t

South America's exports of milled rice and broken rice have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volumes reached 2 731 thousand tonnes, reflecting a substantial increase of 28.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 61.4%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 17.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South America's exports of milled rice and broken rice were distributed across a wide range of buyers. Key destinations included Senegal, which accounted for 7.4% of export volumes, Iraq at 6.5%, and Sierra Leone at 5.3%. Together, these three countries represented 19.2% of total exports, with numerous other countries holding smaller but still notable shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

South America's exports of milled rice and broken rice have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export value amounted to 1 486 million US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 38.6% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export values grew by 65.9%, averaging an annual increase of 18.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the value of South America's milled rice and broken rice exports was spread across various partner countries. Iraq was the top destination with 7.0% of export value, followed by Senegal at 5.3% and Mexico at 5.0%. Combined, these three countries made up 17.3% of total export flows, indicating a diverse market distribution.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to South America

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, South America's imports of milled rice and broken rice rebounded in 2020. Import volumes reached approximately 506 thousand tonnes, representing a modest increase of 1.9% from the previous year. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 38.5%, averaging an annual decrease of 15.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 496 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 36.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for South America's imports of milled rice and broken rice were the United States, which accounted for 3.5% of import volumes, Thailand at 2.2%, and India at 1.3%. Together, these three countries represented 6.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

South America's imports of milled rice and broken rice have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, import values totalled 855 million US dollars, marking a steep increase of 38.5% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, import values increased by 33.6%, which equates to an average annual growth rate of 10.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 520 million US dollars, with the largest decline also occurring in 2018 at 18.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading source for South America's imports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms, accounting for 4.7% of imports. Thailand followed with 2.1%, and India with 1.1%. Collectively, these three markets made up 7.9% of total import flows.

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

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