Milled rice and broken rice market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for milled rice and broken rice in Western Europe grew from 1 028 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 386 thousand tonnes in 2020. This expansion was primarily driven by a sustained decline in cultivated rice area in France, which reduced domestic supply and increased reliance on imports to meet demand. The introduction of stricter EU-wide pesticide-residue standards in 2020 further influenced milling and labeling practices for producers.

Market growth continued at a slower pace, reaching 1 473 thousand tonnes by 2023. A rebound in French rice area from late 2021 eased supply constraints, while the EU's traceability regulation mandated enhanced origin labeling, reshaping supply chains. The establishment of the Euricom-Fatima joint-venture in 2022 secured processing capacity for premium Basmati broken-rice in Pakistan, boosting imports of this segment. India's export restrictions on broken-rice in 2022-2023 introduced price volatility, prompting importers to diversify sources.

In 2024, the operational Euricom-Fatima joint-venture strengthened EU access to Pakistani Basmati broken-rice. The EU's lifting of India's export ban led to a surge in broken-rice imports and price adjustments, while new allergen-labeling rules for broken-rice used in pet food came into effect, requiring packaging updates.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Western Europe

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

Western Europe's production of milled rice and broken rice has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 638.1 thousand tonnes, representing a significant rise of 26.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 29%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 459.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of milled rice and broken rice production in Western Europe has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1,905 million US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 31.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 70.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 822 thousand tonnes of milled rice and broken rice, showing a dramatic increase of 68.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 70.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 19.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 38.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe traded milled rice and broken rice with numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Poland, the United Kingdom, and Sweden—together accounted for only 25.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe's exports of milled rice and broken rice were valued at 665 million US dollars, up by 13.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 28.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 8.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 5.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 18.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United Kingdom (10.8% of export value), Poland (5.8%), and Sweden (3.3%) together represented only 20.0% of total flows. The remaining 80.0% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe imported 1,570 thousand tonnes of milled rice and broken rice, which is 28.3% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 17.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 5.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,224 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of milled rice and broken rice to Western Europe came from a wide range of partner countries. Italy (20.6% of import volume), Myanmar (15.7%), and Thailand (10.0%) together accounted for just 46.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe's imports of milled rice and broken rice were valued at 1,472 million US dollars, marking a strong increase of 22.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 40.5%, with an annualized rate of 12.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of milled rice and broken rice to Western Europe in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Italy (23.1% of import value), Thailand (12.4%), and Cambodia (9.3%) together captured only 44.8% of total flows.

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

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