Paddy rice market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The paddy rice market in Northern America showed significant volatility in volume between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 10.2 million tons in 2018, the market contracted to 8.4 million tons in 2019, coinciding with a dip in the global rice price index to 101.5 after the previous year's increase. A sharp rebound followed in 2020, with volume reaching 10.3 million tons. This recovery was driven by heightened demand due to COVID-19 pandemic-related stockpiling and a restoration of rice plantings in California, aided by substantial rainfall.

Market volume then declined for two consecutive years, falling to 8.7 million tons in 2021 and further to 7.3 million tons in 2022. The 2021 decrease aligned with a modest decline in the rice price index, signaling reduced market momentum. The drop in 2022 was exacerbated by global supply chain disruptions and inflation, which raised costs and affected market access in the region. The market expanded strongly again in 2023, with volume jumping to 9.9 million tons. This growth occurred alongside a slight uptick in the price index and was supported by broader industry advancements, including the launch of new paddy cultivation methods aimed at improving efficiency.

Production paddy rice in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Northern America produced 10,320 K t of paddy rice, marking a significant 22.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 27.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 17.3%, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2018, at 25.6%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Northern America

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility during these years. Exports varied significantly, with a 5.3-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2020. In 2020, paddy rice exports from Northern America totaled 93.5 t, down 41.9% year-over-year. The largest decline was in 2018, at 70.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 10.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, Thailand, and China were the key partners for exports in kind, accounting for 54.5%, 9.7%, and 5.3% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 69.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Exports varied by a factor of 4, with the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Northern America exported 76.3 K $ US of paddy rice, a sharp decrease of 35.5% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 36.5 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 74.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 224.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic were the main markets for exports in value terms, with shares of 38.1%, 6.7%, and 2.5%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 47.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Northern America

Imports in kind, t

The market trend was unstable throughout the timeframe. Imports varied by 3.6-fold, with the maximum in 2017 and the minimum in 2018. In 2020, Northern America imported 287.1 t of paddy rice, a slight gain of 1.1% from the previous year. The minimum value was in 2018 at 151.7 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 72.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 87.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of paddy rice to Northern America were spread across many markets. India, South Korea, and China were notable partners, with shares of 22.8%, 4.6%, and 2.0%, respectively, but together they accounted for only 29.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Paddy rice imports to Northern America increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 363.2 K $ US, a steep increase of 35.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 10.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 228.5 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 30.3%.

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

The partner structure for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. India, China, and Denmark were key partners, with shares of 18.8%, 2.3%, and 2.2%, respectively, but together they represented only 23.3% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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