Paddy rice market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the paddy rice market volume in Eastern Europe grew from 1.17 million tonnes to 1.215 million tonnes. This expansion was primarily driven by increased sown areas and improved cultivation technologies, which boosted domestic production. High sector profitability, reaching 34% in 2018, encouraged further investment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, state support measures helped stabilize agricultural output and maintain supply, supporting the market.

The market contracted to 1.148 million tonnes in 2021 and further to 1.001 million tonnes in 2022. This decline occurred despite the introduction of a temporary ban on exports of paddy rice and rice groats, which was intended to secure domestic supply. Geopolitical sanctions and currency fluctuations disrupted production inputs and logistics, leading to a significant drop in output that outweighed the effect of the export restrictions.

In 2023, the market recovered to 1.125 million tonnes. Soaring profitability, which reached 83.5%, alongside the continued adoption of new varieties and farming technologies, enabled a strong rebound in production. The persistent export limitations on paddy rice helped channel a larger share of the harvest to the domestic market, supporting the volume available for local consumption.

Production paddy rice in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Paddy rice production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1 305 K t of paddy rice, marking a 2.4% gain compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of paddy rice in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was valued at 526.9 M $ US, reflecting a robust 16.6% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 42%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 22.0%, while the smallest change was a slight decline of 0.2% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports paddy rice from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Paddy rice shipments from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) to abroad have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 105.6 K t of paddy rice, indicating a 4.0% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 107.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 27.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the dominant market for exports in kind, accounting for 89.3% of total flows, with other countries making up the remaining share.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Paddy rice volumes leaving Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 42 633 K $ US, corresponding to a strong 18.4% gain versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 163.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 38.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the main buyer of paddy rice from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), taking 83.8% of total exports in value terms, while other partners held relatively modest shares.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports paddy rice to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, the volume of paddy rice imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 15.4 K t, reflecting a dramatic 36.4% advance relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 61.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 17.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 50.2%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Greece, Italy, and Turkey—were central to imports in kind, together accounting for 81.7% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, paddy rice deliveries to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 7 638 K $ US, corresponding to a 33.7% rise relative to the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 895 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 70.4%, while the largest decline was in 2019 at 27.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Greece (43.7% of imports in value terms), Italy (29.2% of imports in value terms), and Turkey (3.3% of imports in value terms) together accounted for 76.2% of total imports in value terms, remaining the main destinations for paddy rice to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia).

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020