Paddy rice market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

The paddy rice market in Colombia grew from 2.7 million tons in 2018 to 3.2 million tons in 2020, a 19% increase. This expansion was primarily driven by a 14% expansion in sown area by 2020, which increased domestic production. Simultaneously, the gradual reduction of import tariffs initiated in 2018 contributed to higher imports, adding to the total market volume.

After peaking in 2020, the market contracted to 2.7 million tons in 2022. This decline was caused by persistently high production costs and limitations in irrigation and drying infrastructure, which constrained output. Oligopsonistic market practices, with few buyers, reduced producers' bargaining power and further dampened production incentives.

In 2023, the market recovered to 3.2 million tons as sown area and production increased again, despite ongoing structural issues such as smuggling and unfair competition. Significant imports from countries like the United States and Ecuador continued to affect the market. By 2024, substantial government investment in processing infrastructure aimed to address some of these long-standing challenges.

Production paddy rice in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Colombia ranked as the 25th largest producer of paddy rice from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Colombia's paddy rice production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 039 thousand tons, marking a 15.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 12.4%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 591 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 4.1%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Colombia

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.0 thousand tons and peaked in 2018, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign paddy rice supplies from Colombia stood at 0.0 thousand tons, representing a 44.4% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 64.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of paddy rice from Colombia were Aruba, accounting for 57.8% of exports in kind, Canada with 16.4%, and Curaçao at 14.9%. Together, these three countries made up 89.1% of Colombia's total paddy rice exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Colombia exported 2 thousand US dollars worth of paddy rice, reflecting a 55.4% decrease from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 64.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, two countries—Peru and Aruba—concentrated most of Colombia's paddy rice exports in value terms, while other markets were individually less significant.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Colombia

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign paddy rice supplies to Colombia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 177.9 thousand tons, up 38.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 204.4%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 44.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, paddy rice imports to Colombia were largely directed toward the United States, which held a 100.0% share of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Paddy rice deliveries to Colombia rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, import volume reached 88 815 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 74.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 308.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 59.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, paddy rice imports to Colombia were almost exclusively supplied by the United States, which accounted for 100.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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