Paddy rice market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the U.S. paddy rice market showed considerable variation, with its value measured at $2.7 billion in 2018, falling to $2.0 billion in 2019, and then rebounding to $3.0 billion in 2020.

The market contracted to $2.4 billion in 2021 as U.S. rough rice production dropped by 16%, a decline attributed to the crop's specific climatic requirements which were not fully met that year. In 2022, the market stabilized near $2.4 billion against a backdrop of steady global production and volatile international rice prices. A major expansion followed in 2023, with the market value climbing to $3.6 billion. This growth was propelled by technological advancements in milling efficiency, a strategic 10% increase in harvested area for long-grain rice driven by better returns, and sustained demand for high-quality rice products.

Production paddy rice in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States ranked 13th globally in paddy rice production.

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, the United States 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%, averaging an 8.5% annual rate. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 17.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 25.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of paddy rice output in the United States reached 3 507 M $ US, reflecting a sharp 41.7% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 57.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.2%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 21.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports paddy rice from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the United States exported 1 373 K t of paddy rice, a 13.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 12.4%, averaging a 4.3% annual decline. The lowest export volume was in 2018, at 1 353 K t, while the highest was in 2019, at 1 581 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 13.7% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 16.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, Honduras, and Colombia were the leading destinations for U.S. paddy rice exports in volume terms, accounting for 46.2%, 9.9%, and 8.0% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 64.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Paddy rice export values from the United States rose for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 466.7 M $ US, which was largely stable compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values increased by 7.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018, at 419.6 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 3.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico, Honduras, and Colombia remained the top buyers of U.S. paddy rice in value terms, accounting for 45.8%, 9.8%, and 7.9% of exports, respectively. Collectively, they made up 63.4% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports paddy rice to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

The United States imported approximately 0.1 K t of paddy rice in 2020, a steep 47.3% decline from 2019. Import volumes showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. The lowest volume was in 2018, at 0.0 K t, while the highest was in 2019, at 0.2 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 478.7%, with a 5.8-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, India, and Bangladesh were the main sources for U.S. paddy rice imports in volume terms, accounting for 68.4%, 9.8%, and 7.4% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 85.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the United States imported 0.1 M $ US of paddy rice, a sharp 31.0% reduction from the previous year. The market exhibited an unstable trend over the period, with import values varying threefold from the high in 2019 to the low in 2017. The highest value was recorded in 2019, at 0.1 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 168.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Canada, India, and Bangladesh remained the primary markets for U.S. paddy rice imports in value terms, accounting for 53.9%, 13.3%, and 9.9% of imports, respectively. Collectively, they made up 77.0% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020