Paddy rice market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Italian paddy rice market remained stable, with volume hovering near 1 500 thousand t. The mandatory origin and plant labeling introduced in September 2018, and extended through 2021, strengthened traceability and consumer confidence, supporting domestic production. Temporary COVID‑19 support measures in 2020 maintained this labeling obligation, helping to stabilize the market during the pandemic.

Extreme weather conditions in 2022 caused a severe drop, as drought cut cultivated area by over 35 000 hectares and reduced production by more than 30%, shrinking market volume to 1 267 thousand t. The activation of a safeguard clause on Indica rice from Cambodia and Myanmar also limited imports. In 2023, production recovered to 1 379 thousand t, partly offsetting the previous loss, while imports of Japonica rice from Myanmar increased and new EU labeling rules made origin indication optional.

Production paddy rice in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Italy's paddy rice production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Italy produced 1 507 thousand tonnes of paddy rice, marking a slight uptick of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 470 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.0%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 1.5% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, Italy's paddy rice production value declined. In 2020, the output of paddy rice was valued at 1 097 million US dollars in Italy, representing an 11.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 16.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 244 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 27.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports paddy rice from Italy

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, paddy rice shipments from Italy to abroad increased. In 2020, Italy exported 21 093 tonnes of paddy rice, corresponding to a sharp rise of 50.5% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 39.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 14 011 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind of paddy rice from Italy were spread across many countries. The Netherlands accounted for 27.9% of exports in kind, France for 11.3%, and Portugal for 10.6%, with these three countries jointly representing only 49.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Paddy rice shipments from Italy to abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 15 353 thousand US dollars, constituting a sharp increase of 31.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 72.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.9%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of paddy rice from Italy were characterised by a broad spread across markets. The Netherlands accounted for 14.7% of exports in value terms, Portugal for 14.6%, and France for 14.0%, with these three countries together representing only 43.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy imported 19 523 tonnes of paddy rice in 2020, marking an intense decline of 60.4% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 59.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 26.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 49 363 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 51.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guyana led the structure of imports in kind with 62.5%, followed by Greece at 15.7% and France at 10.6%. Together, these three countries represented 88.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Italy imported approximately 13 453 thousand US dollars of paddy rice in 2020, reflecting a decline of 35.7% compared with 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 31.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 928 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 34.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Guyana accounted for 41.1% of imports in value terms, Greece for 22.1%, and Romania for 14.7%, forming the key group of partners for imports in value terms of paddy rice to Italy. Together, these three countries jointly represented 77.9% of total flows.

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

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