Paddy rice market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The paddy rice market in Southern Europe showed initial stability, with volume hovering between 2 650 and 2 700 thousand tons from 2018 through 2020. A noticeable downturn began in 2021, reducing the market to 2 547 thousand tons, which was followed by a more severe contraction to 2 004 thousand tons in 2022. A partial recovery to 2 112 thousand tons was recorded in 2023.

Market dynamics in 2024 were shaped by strategic moves from leading Italian companies. Euricom established a joint venture to secure advanced processing for Basmati rice, strengthening the supply of premium varieties. Simultaneously, Riso Gallo partnered with a technology firm to digitalize its supply chain, enhancing traceability. Consumer preferences continued to shift towards specialty rice for risotto and brown rice, while broader regulatory and trade policy adjustments affected market conditions.

Production paddy rice in Southern Europe

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 Southern Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 2 686 K t, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 6.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 672 K t, with the largest year-on-year decline of 7.4% also occurring in that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of paddy rice output in Southern Europe was 1 683 M $ US, marking a 7.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 561 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 940 M $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 19.5%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Paddy rice exports from Southern Europe grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes amounted to 87 930 t, representing a sharp increase of 43.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 69.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 19.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 45 666 t, which also saw the largest decline of 11.8% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, paddy rice from Southern Europe was exported to numerous countries. Even the top three destinations—Turkey, Bulgaria, and the Netherlands—collectively accounted for only 45.1% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Paddy rice shipments from Southern Europe increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 55 102 K $ US, reflecting a sharp uptick of 54.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 68.4%, with an annualized rate of 19.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, paddy rice from Southern Europe was supplied to a wide range of markets. The largest destinations—Turkey, Bulgaria, and the Netherlands—together represented just 36.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, paddy rice imports into Southern Europe totaled 49 494 t, down by 35.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 30.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 76 427 t, which also experienced the largest increase of 31.6% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of paddy rice imports into Southern Europe was highly diversified. The top three sources—Guyana (35.1% of import volume), France (5.8%), and the United States (4.2%)—together accounted for only 45.1% of total imports, with the remaining 54.9% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe imported paddy rice worth 42 565 K $ US, a slight decrease of 2.4% year-over-year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 36 549 K $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 43 598 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 13.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a rise of 19.3%.

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

Over 2017–2020, paddy rice imports into Southern Europe in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. The top three sources—Guyana (21.7% of import value), the United States (10.4%), and Romania (6.2%)—together represented only 38.3% of total flows.

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

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