Milled rice and broken rice market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the U.S. milled rice market volume remained stable at around 4.5 million tons. Weather-related disruptions and changes in agricultural practices affected supply during this period, but the market showed resilience with minimal change. The market then expanded sharply in 2020, with volume reaching 5.3 million tons, indicating a significant rise in domestic consumption and trade activity.

Drought conditions in California reduced U.S. rice production by 16% in 2021, directly shrinking domestic supply and pulling market volume down to 4.4 million tons. Increased competition from South American exporters in traditional U.S. markets further pressured export volumes. Although drought continued to impact crops in 2022, market volume recovered to 4.8 million tons as higher imports compensated for lower production. By 2023, production rebounded and market volume grew to 5.9 million tons, even as U.S. exports faced challenges from price differentials with Asian competitors like Vietnam and Thailand.

In 2024, adverse weather conditions lowered milling quality for U.S. long-grain rice, dampening demand. Tariffs imposed by some countries, reaching 70% on milled rice, severely limited U.S. export market access. Discussions on increasing GSM-102 export credit guarantees and a widening price gap between U.S. and Asian rice influenced buyer preferences and market dynamics.

Production milled rice and broken rice in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States ranked 11th globally in production volume of milled rice and broken rice.

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

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

Milled rice and broken rice production in the United States increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 5 864 K t, marking a modest rise of 8.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The United States saw its milled rice and broken rice production value increase for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 4 345 M $ US, reflecting a substantial 18.8% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 50.3%, with a CAGR of 14.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports milled rice and broken rice from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the United States exported 1 660 K t of milled rice and broken rice, a 9.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 20%, with a CAGR of -7.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 18.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Haiti (25.6% of exports in kind), Japan (16.9%), and Canada (11.0%) were the key destinations for U.S. exports in kind, together accounting for 53.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the United States exported 1 230 M $ US of milled rice and broken rice, a slight decline of 1.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 5.3%, with a CAGR of 1.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 151 M $ US, and the maximum in 2019 at 1 242 M $ US. The largest decline was in 2018 at 1.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 7.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Japan (19.9% of exports in value terms), Haiti (18.7%), and Canada (13.0%) consistently led the country structure of U.S. exports in value terms, jointly representing 51.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports milled rice and broken rice to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

Milled rice and broken rice imports into the United States increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 136 K t, indicating a strong 23.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 56.8%, with a CAGR of 16.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, three principal markets—Thailand, India, and China—together accounted for 85.1% of total imports in kind of milled rice and broken rice to the United States.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The United States experienced a third consecutive year of growth in milled rice and broken rice import value. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 219 M $ US, up 18.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 80%, equating to an annualized rate of 21.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand and India jointly absorbed 84.6% of total imports in value terms of milled rice and broken rice to the United States, with the remainder distributed across smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020