Paddy rice market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish paddy rice market began the period with a volume of 796 thousand tons in 2018, supported by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and concentrated production in regions like Andalusia and Catalonia. However, from 2019, phytosanitary problems and rising production costs started to pressure domestic output, leading to a decline in market size to 765 thousand tons. The situation worsened in 2020 when severe drought in the Guadiana and Guadalquivir basins significantly reduced cultivated area and yield, pushing the market volume down to 721 thousand tons.

Drought conditions persisted through 2021 and 2022, compounded by ongoing phytosanitary restrictions and a lack of effective plant protection products. These factors caused national production to drop sharply, leading to a steep contraction in market size to 631 thousand tons in 2021 and then to 334 thousand tons in 2022. By 2023, the market stabilized at 334 thousand tons, as the continued impact of drought on yields was offset by the resilience of large industrial players like Ebro Foods and adjustments in trade flows.

In 2024, the sector showed signs of recovery as above-average precipitation ended the prolonged drought, allowing cultivated area to expand. Direct CAP aid of 28 million euros further supported producers, setting the stage for a rebound in national production.

Production paddy rice in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Spain's paddy rice production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 739.2 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate decrease of 5.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 11.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's paddy rice output was valued at 301.6 million US dollars, representing an 8.2% drop from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 14.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.1%. The only increase during this time was a slight 0.4% rise in 2019.

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

Exports paddy rice from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's paddy rice exports have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 27 823 tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 44.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 22.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 18 384 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 19.3% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Portugal accounted for 89.2% of Spain's total paddy rice exports by volume. The remaining exports were distributed among many other countries, each with relatively small individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Spain's paddy rice export value has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 11 350 thousand US dollars, which is 39.4% higher than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 18%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 534 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 21.7% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal dominated Spain's paddy rice exports in value terms, holding an 83.8% share of total flows. Other trading partners accounted for relatively minor shares during this period.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's paddy rice import market showed volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 314 tonnes, while the highest was in 2017, creating a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports rebounded to 5 314 tonnes, representing a strong 74.8% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 66.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Italy, and Guyana were the largest suppliers of paddy rice to Spain by volume. Portugal accounted for 47.0% of imports, Italy for 14.4%, and Guyana for 12.9%, together making up 74.3% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After declining for two years, Spain's paddy rice imports increased in 2020. The import value totaled 6 435 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.1% rise compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 30.5%, with an average annual decline of 11.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 121 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 31.8% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Portugal, Italy, and the United States remained the principal suppliers of paddy rice to Spain in value terms. Portugal accounted for 26.7% of imports, Italy for 25.0%, and the United States for 21.0%, jointly representing 72.8% of total import value.

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

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