Market research

Paddy rice market in Southern Asia

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Southern Asia" region includes following countries:

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

Sri Lanka

India

Iran

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the paddy rice market volume in Southern Asia grew from 255.2 million tons to 280.2 million tons. This expansion was primarily driven by India's increase in minimum support prices, which raised farmer incomes and encouraged higher procurement volumes by state agencies. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 underscored rice as an essential staple, with government measures to secure food supplies maintaining steady demand. In 2021, India's export restrictions on non-basmati rice aimed at ensuring domestic availability further bolstered internal market volume.

Market volume dipped slightly to 275.5 million tons in 2022 before surging to 297.7 million tons in 2023. The continued export restrictions by India kept domestic supplies ample. During this period, the launch of the 'Bharat Rice' retail initiative provided price-stabilized rice directly to consumers. Concurrently, stricter quality controls on moisture and foreign matter in paddy procurement reshaped supply standards, while ongoing expansion and modernization of rice milling capacity supported higher production output.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Southern Asia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in kind, 2018-2023, M t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, M t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, M t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production paddy rice in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Paddy rice production in Southern Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 267.4 million tonnes of paddy rice, representing a 4.4% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 11.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.1%	0.4%	4.4%	3.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paddy rice from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 7.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, paddy rice deliveries from Southern Asia totaled 14.0 thousand tonnes, marking a 15.3% decrease from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 37.7 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 56.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 665.9% surge.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	665.9%	(56.2%)	(15.3%)	41.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (accounting for 49.1% of exports in kind), China (27.0%), and Tanzania (4.4%) were the largest export destinations, together comprising 80.5% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

The market demonstrated volatility over the observed period. The lowest export value was in 2017, while the highest was in 2018, reflecting a 9.5-fold gap. In 2020, paddy rice exports from Southern Asia amounted to 2.6 million US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 6.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 16.2 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 85.1% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with an 845.9% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	845.9%	(85.1%)	6.3%	14.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—China, the United Arab Emirates, and Kenya—collectively absorbed 74.7% of the total export value of paddy rice from Southern Asia.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paddy rice to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Asia's paddy rice import volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 156.1 thousand tonnes, which is 40.9% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 115.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 29.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	47.4%	3.9%	40.9%	29.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China was the leading source in the import structure by volume, accounting for 4.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

The volume of paddy rice imports to Southern Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 158.6 million US dollars, representing a significant increase of 36.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 113.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 28.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	41.7%	10.5%	36.3%	28.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, China consistently held the leading position in import value for paddy rice to Southern Asia, accounting for 28.5% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io