Milled rice and broken rice market in Vietnam

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the domestic market volume for milled rice and broken rice in Vietnam contracted from 25.1 million tons to 20.7 million tons. This decline occurred amid steady production levels above 26 million tons annually, with exports rising significantly from 2.8 million tons to 5.5 million tons over the same period.

The market saw a temporary rebound in 2021, reaching 23.2 million tons, before resuming its downward trend to 19.9 million tons by 2023. The latter decline was partly driven by a surge in exports, which hit 7.7 million tons in 2023. This export growth was facilitated by India's restrictions on its own rice shipments, which redirected global demand toward Vietnamese suppliers and reduced domestic availability.

In 2024, India's continued export limits and extreme weather events affecting yields kept the focus on overseas sales. Vietnamese exporters further concentrated on premium segments like Japonica and specialty rice, successfully entering new markets such as Singapore. However, traditional buyers like Indonesia and the Philippines are pursuing food self-sufficiency, which may gradually reshape export flows.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Vietnam

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Vietnam was one of the world's top producers of milled and broken rice from 2017 to 2020, ranking fifth globally by production volume.

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

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

Vietnam's production of milled and broken rice declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 26 220 thousand tons, marking a 2.4% decrease from 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 27 872 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase of 8.5% that year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.6%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Vietnam

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for milled and broken rice showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2 796 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 51.4% that year. They then rebounded sharply in 2019, posting the largest increase of 92.1%. In 2020, exports stood at 5 530 thousand tons, reflecting a modest rise of 3.0% compared to 2019. The peak was recorded in 2017, with a 2.1-fold difference between the highest and lowest years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines, China, and Malaysia were the primary markets for Vietnam's milled and broken rice exports by volume. The Philippines accounted for 27.8% of exports, China for 22.8%, and Malaysia for 9.6%, together making up 60.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, the value of Vietnam's milled and broken rice exports increased in 2020, reaching 2 745 million US dollars. This represented a robust advance of 14.8% over 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 391 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 5.7% that year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 5.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.9%.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, the Philippines, China, and Ghana were the main destinations for Vietnam's milled and broken rice exports. The Philippines contributed 25.7% of export value, China 23.5%, and Ghana 8.9%, collectively accounting for 58.1% of total exports.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Vietnam

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year drop, Vietnam's imports of milled and broken rice increased in 2020 to 30 thousand tons, up by 29.8% from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 23 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 35.7% occurring in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 34.9%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -13.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos were the key suppliers of milled and broken rice to Vietnam by volume. Thailand made up 37.8% of imports, Myanmar 25.5%, and Laos 17.6%, together representing 80.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Vietnam's imports of milled and broken rice in value terms amounted to 24 million US dollars, showing an uptick of 48.3% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 16 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 34.3% that year. Imports peaked in 2018 at 25 million US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 17.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.5%.

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

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos remained the main suppliers of milled and broken rice to Vietnam. Thailand accounted for 38.6% of import value, Myanmar for 25.5%, and Laos for 17.0%, jointly forming 81.1% of total imports.

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

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