Paddy rice market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Russian paddy rice market volume grew from 1 001 thousand tonnes to 1 080 thousand tonnes. This expansion was underpinned by stable production, which reached 1 038 thousand tonnes in 2018, and was later supported by a surge in domestic consumption of processed rice, evidenced by a 28.3% increase in rice groats production in early 2020.

The market declined to 1 035 thousand tonnes in 2021 and then fell sharply to 911 thousand tonnes in 2022. The major drop in 2022 was directly caused by an accident at the Fedorov hydro unit in Krasnodar Krai, which drastically reduced sown areas and harvest volumes. This event also prompted the government to impose a temporary ban on paddy rice exports from July 2022. Production recovered by 15% in 2023, leading to a market volume rebound to 1 063 thousand tonnes.

Regulatory measures shaped the market environment throughout the period. The temporary export ban was extended several times, ultimately to December 2024, to secure domestic supply. Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture approved a strategic roadmap for rice farming development until 2030, which included plans to create a registry of land suitable for cultivation, aiming to support long-term production growth.

Production paddy rice in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Russia's paddy rice production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Russia produced 1 142 K t of paddy rice, representing a 3.9% gain compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Paddy rice production in Russia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output of paddy rice was valued at 413.7 M $ US in Russia, up by 12.2% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 44.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.0%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Russia

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Volumes dropped to their minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, showing a 1.9-fold shift. Russia exported 61 903 t of paddy rice in 2020, reflecting a decrease of 3.8% relative to the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 64 373 t. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 72.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey remained the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of paddy rice from Russia, accounting for 92.1% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Paddy rice shipments from Russia to abroad have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 22 428 K $ US, marking an uptick of 3.9% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 132.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 32.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms remained heavily focused on Turkey, which accounted for 91.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Russia imported a total of 367 t of paddy rice in 2020, which is 16.8% less than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 39.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 33.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Italy were the dominant destinations for imports in kind of paddy rice to Russia, jointly accounting for 89.6% of total flows, while the remaining volume was split among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Russia imported 431 K $ US of paddy rice in 2020, showing an abrupt rise of 34.3% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 30.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 321 K $ US, and the maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 433 K $ US. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 25.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was shaped primarily by Italy and Turkey, which together accounted for 94.9% of total flows; other markets formed a long tail.

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

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