Paddy rice market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, paddy rice production in Eastern Asia remained steady, fluctuating between 228 and 231 million tonnes. This stability was underpinned by China's long-standing national food support policies, notably the Lowest Rice Purchase Pricing Policy, which encouraged consistent output. During this period, the market value in monetary terms rose steadily from $787 billion to $872 billion, reflecting increasing prices even as physical volumes held firm.

Production volumes began a gradual decline from 2022, falling to 224 million tonnes by 2023. While specific annual drivers for this period are not highlighted in available sources, the broader regional context shifted significantly by 2024. South Korea's rice paddy area and output hit record lows due to falling domestic consumption, influencing regional supply dynamics. Simultaneously, international rice trade faced disruptions from policies like India's 2023 export ban, and China advanced new farming models such as integrated crayfish-rice cultivation to improve ecological and economic outcomes.

Production paddy rice in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, paddy rice production in Eastern Asia increased. In 2019, production reached its lowest point at 228.0 million tonnes, with a 0.9% decrease from the previous year. By 2020, output was nearly unchanged at 229.2 million tonnes, showing minimal year-over-year variation.

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

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Paddy rice production in Eastern Asia grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the value of production reached 823.1 billion US dollars, marking a slight increase of 0.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports paddy rice from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Eastern Asia's paddy rice export volume totaled 23,065 tonnes, representing a 30.4% increase from the previous year. Exports declined by 13.3% in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall exports grew by 40.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of paddy rice from Eastern Asia were Pakistan, accounting for 44.2% of exports in kind, the Philippines with 26.2%, and Vietnam at 20.2%. Together, these three countries formed 90.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Eastern Asia's paddy rice export value stood at 82,841 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic uptick of 30.9% year-over-year. Exports fell by 9.4% in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 49.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, with 44.4% of exports in value terms, the Philippines at 25.3%, and Vietnam with 20.2%, continued to lead as the top buyers of paddy rice from Eastern Asia. Collectively, they accounted for 89.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of paddy rice to Eastern Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 27,338 tonnes, up by 18.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 49.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar played a leading role in imports in kind of paddy rice to Eastern Asia, holding a share of 88.9% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed across other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Paddy rice imports to Eastern Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 6,020 thousand US dollars, with a 7.3% decline. By 2019, imports surged by 40.2%, and in 2020, the import volume reached 11,032 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 30.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 69.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar concentrated most of the imports in value terms, taking 89.7% of total flows, with a fragmented tail of other markets.

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

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