Milled rice and broken rice market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for milled and broken rice in the Netherlands expanded from 97.4 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 153.7 thousand tonnes in 2021. This growth coincided with the initiation and scaling of experimental rice cultivation projects in Dutch polders, enabled by a changing climate that made rice farming feasible. Starting in 2018 with trials on peatlands near Leiden, the efforts gained momentum through 2019 with a focus on sustainable water management and emission reduction. By 2021, increased attention on sustainable cultivation and collaboration between farmers and researchers, targeting short-grain varieties for risotto and sushi, contributed to a rise in domestic production to 136.3 thousand tonnes.

After peaking in 2021, the market volume contracted to 142.3 thousand tonnes in 2022 and further to 129.8 thousand tonnes in 2023. This decline was primarily driven by a sharp drop in domestic production, which fell to 100.4 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 66.5 thousand tonnes in 2023. Imports continued to grow during this period, reaching 297.7 thousand tonnes in 2023, but were offset by high export volumes and the reduced local output.

Experimental rice cultivation in the Netherlands continued beyond 2023, receiving political and financial support aimed at developing a profitable model. In 2024, climate change remained a key factor enabling rice farming, with the European Commission including Dutch area and yield data in its harvest forecasts, indicating growing institutional recognition. By 2025, trials were being scaled up despite practical challenges such as wildlife damage, underscoring an ongoing commitment to establishing domestic production.

Production milled rice and broken rice in the Netherlands

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

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

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

In 2021, the Netherlands produced 136 K t of milled rice and broken rice, marking an 18.2% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 41%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 19.3%, while the smallest change was recorded in 2020, with no significant decline.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, the Netherlands exported 200.2 K t of milled rice and broken rice, representing a 9.2% year-over-year gain. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 13%, with a CAGR of 4.2%. The largest increase was in 2019, at 9.3%, while the largest decline occurred in 2020, at 5.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France were the main destinations for milled rice and broken rice exports from the Netherlands, accounting for 72.0% of total exports in kind. Germany led with 46.3%, followed by the United Kingdom at 13.6%, and France at 12.1%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, the Netherlands exported 264.5 M $ US of milled rice and broken rice, indicating a 14.0% increase year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 20.2%, with a CAGR of 6.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, at 0.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France were the primary destinations for milled rice and broken rice exports from the Netherlands in value terms, together absorbing 71.6% of total exports. Germany accounted for 47.8%, the United Kingdom for 13.1%, and France for 10.7%.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Milled rice and broken rice imports to the Netherlands increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 217.6 K t, showing a small gain of 1.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 22.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.9%.

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

The partner structure for imports in kind from 2018 to 2021 was fragmented, with Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia together accounting for only 40.0% of total flows. Myanmar led with 15.6%, followed by Thailand at 13.0%, and Cambodia at 11.4%, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Milled rice and broken rice imports to the Netherlands increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the Netherlands imported approximately 193.4 M $ US, indicating a 3.5% increase compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 29.4%, with a CAGR of 9.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, imports in value terms of milled rice and broken rice to the Netherlands were not heavily concentrated. Thailand, Cambodia, and India together captured only 39.2% of total flows, with Thailand at 16.7%, Cambodia at 11.5%, and India at 11.0%.

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

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