Paddy rice market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the paddy rice market in ASEAN declined from 200.6 million tonnes in 2018 to 191.0 million tonnes in 2020. Adverse climatic factors, including droughts and floods recorded in 2018, reduced production in parts of the region, contributing to the initial contraction. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted supply chains, though increased domestic consumption during lockdowns helped prevent a steeper fall.

Market volume recovered to 196.3 million tonnes in 2021, driven by the post-pandemic rebound in production and growing consumer demand for specialized varieties like organic rice. Subsequently, the market stabilized around 196 million tonnes through 2023, supported by the entry of new players focusing on value-added and sustainable products, alongside government policies prioritizing food security and the implementation of updated quality and labeling standards.

Production paddy rice in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

ASEAN's paddy rice production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 190.9 million tonnes, showing no significant change compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.5%, while the highest production was recorded in 2018 at 200.6 million tonnes, which represented a 4.5% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, M t

Exports paddy rice from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports bottomed in 2019 at 5.7 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 27.0 thousand tonnes, with a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ASEAN's paddy rice exports stood at 6.0 thousand tonnes, up by 4.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 78.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 110.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. China accounted for 19.2% of exports, Belgium for 6.5%, and France for 3.2%, together representing 28.9% of total flows. Many other countries accounted for the remaining 71.1%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms bottomed in 2019 at 4.0 million US dollars and peaked in 2018 at 27.8 million US dollars, with a 6.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, ASEAN exported 6.7 million US dollars worth of paddy rice, showing a 67.1% advance compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 85.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 195.2%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of paddy rice from ASEAN were not heavily concentrated. China accounted for 41.9% of exports, Belgium for 3.3%, and France for 2.9%, together capturing 48.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports bottomed in 2018 at 41.7 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 141.8 thousand tonnes, with a 3.4-fold gap. In 2020, paddy rice deliveries to ASEAN amounted to 141.8 thousand tonnes, which is 183.2% greater relative to the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 13.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and India made the largest contribution to imports in kind, together representing 59.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports in value terms bottomed in 2019 at 57.4 million US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 183.5 million US dollars, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.2 times. In 2020, ASEAN's volume of paddy rice imports registered 183.5 million US dollars, corresponding to an uptick of 219.5% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 15.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China and India remained the principal suppliers of paddy rice to ASEAN, together forming 69.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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