Milled rice and broken rice market in Tajikistan

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the milled rice and broken rice market in Tajikistan increased from 84 thousand tons in 2018 to 113 thousand tons in 2023, with growth primarily driven by rising domestic production. This production expansion was supported by state agricultural development and irrigation programs, which facilitated higher yields and increased cultivation areas. Government initiatives, such as those emphasized in 2021, helped boost output from 56 thousand tons in 2020 to 91 thousand tons in 2023.

Imports supplemented domestic supply, showing significant volatility—they rose in 2019 and 2020, then fell sharply in 2021 due to regional trade dynamics, before recovering partially. The market's structure remained heavily informal, with rural consumers consistently preferring to purchase rice in bulk at local bazaars rather than in supermarkets, influencing packaging and distribution. The adoption of modern electric milling equipment alongside traditional methods also enhanced processing capacity.

In 2024, the government approved the Food Security Program for 2024-2028 and the Irrigation Development Program for 2024-2028, aiming to further strengthen domestic production and reduce reliance on imports. However, export opportunities remained minimal throughout the period due to infrastructural and technological limitations in processing and logistics.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Tajikistan

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

In 2018, Tajikistan recorded its lowest production of milled rice and broken rice at 50 927 tonnes. Production then surged by 17.7% in 2019 to reach a peak of 59 935 tonnes. However, in 2020, output declined by 7.0% to 55 743 tonnes, marking a 7.5% drop from the previous year's high.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Tajikistan

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 29-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tajikistan exported only 6 tonnes of milled rice and broken rice, representing a sharp year-over-year decline of 93.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan, Iraq, and Ukraine were the principal buyers of milled rice and broken rice from Tajikistan, accounting for 39.3%, 33.5%, and 8.6% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 81.4% of total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports reached their highest value in 2019 at 62 000 US dollars, but plummeted to 2 000 US dollars in 2020, marking a 25-fold decrease. This represented a dramatic year-over-year drop of 96.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 484.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Iraq, and Kazakhstan formed the main group of destinations for exports in value terms of milled rice and broken rice from Tajikistan. The United States accounted for 38.9% of exports in value terms, Iraq for 20.1%, and Kazakhstan for 15.1%, with their combined share totaling 74.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Tajikistan

Imports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of milled rice and broken rice to Tajikistan increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports amounted to 43 864 tonnes, marking a measured gain of 3.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 78.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market structure for imports in kind was highly concentrated, with Kazakhstan alone responsible for 91.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Milled rice and broken rice shipments to Tajikistan from abroad increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports stood at 12 064 000 US dollars, which is 1.2% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 78.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 21.3%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan remained the dominant partner for imports in value terms of milled rice and broken rice to Tajikistan, with a share of 89.0% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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