Paddy rice market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paddy rice in Argentina opened at 1 368 thousand tonnes in 2018, bolstered by the launch of the high-yielding Angirû INTA CL variety. It contracted to 1 130 thousand tonnes in 2019 as export retention policies eroded producer margins. A recovery followed, with the market reaching a peak of 1 453 thousand tonnes in 2021, driven largely by the introduction of the productive Cambá INTA-Proarroz variety, which raised yields.

From the 2021 high, the market shrank to 1 222 thousand tonnes in 2022 after severe drought, wildfires and higher input costs curtailed output. The decline continued into 2023, with volume falling to 1 163 thousand tonnes amid softer domestic demand and ongoing cost pressures.

Regulatory updates, including the incorporation of rice bran into the food code and MERCOSUR quality standards for milled rice, defined product requirements during the period, while the registration of multiple cultivars highlighted diversification within the sector.

Production paddy rice in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Argentina produced 1,223 thousand tonnes of paddy rice in 2020, marking a modest 2.8% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 7.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1,190 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 1,368 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop happened in 2019, falling by 13.0%, whereas the largest gain was in 2018, rising by 3.0%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Argentina's paddy rice exports totaled 59,680 tonnes, showing little change from the year before. Over the three-year span from 2017 to 2019, exports grew by 29.5%, averaging an annual increase of 9.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Venezuela and Costa Rica dominated Argentina's paddy rice exports in volume, together representing 95.0% of the total. The remaining exports were spread across various other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Argentina's paddy rice exports in value terms reached 15,790 thousand US dollars in 2019, with minimal variation compared to 2018. From 2017 to 2019, export value fell by 25.6%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -9.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Brazil were the primary destinations for Argentina's paddy rice exports in value, accounting for 41.7%, 31.5%, and 19.9% respectively. Combined, these three markets made up 93.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

Argentina's paddy rice imports in volume showed notable fluctuations during the period. The lowest point was in 2017, rising to a peak in 2019—a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, imports dropped to 186 tonnes, a sharp 17.3% decrease year-over-year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 225 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 149.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Spain and Uruguay were the main sources for Argentina's paddy rice imports in volume, together comprising 84.7% of the total. Other countries contributed smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Argentina's paddy rice imports in value exhibited volatility from 2017 to 2020. The value hit its lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 5.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, import value stood at 204 thousand US dollars, down 4.2% from the previous year. The maximum was in 2018 at 283 thousand US dollars, with the steepest decline in 2019 at 24.8% and the largest surge in 2018 at 487.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Uruguay continued to be the key sources for Argentina's paddy rice imports in value, jointly accounting for 82.4% of total imports. Other partners had relatively minor individual shares.

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

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