Paddy rice market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The paddy rice market in Western Asia experienced a significant expansion in 2019, with market volume soaring to 1 782 thousand tonnes, driven by a parallel surge in domestic production to 1 586 thousand tonnes.

A multi-year decline followed, beginning in 2020 when global COVID-19 lockdowns disrupted transport services and supply chains, contributing to a reduction in market volume. The downward trend continued, with the market contracting to 992 thousand tonnes by 2022.

Market volume stabilized at 992 thousand tonnes in 2023. This period coincided with the world's largest rice deficit in two decades, caused by adverse weather and India's export restrictions, which drove international prices to a 15-year high. In anticipation of supply shortages, Western Asian countries increased their imports, supporting local market volume. By 2024, India's ongoing export restrictions, including a 20% duty on certain varieties, continued to pressure global supply and influence trade dynamics for the region.

Production paddy rice in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Western Asia produced 1,454 thousand tonnes of paddy rice, marking an 8.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 23.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 970 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 1,586 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 17.9%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 63.5%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Import levels varied significantly, with a 2.5-fold difference between the high of 3.2 thousand tonnes in 2018 and the low of 1.3 thousand tonnes in 2019. In 2020, foreign paddy rice supplies from Western Asia reached 2.5 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial 92.7% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 59.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, paddy rice exports from Western Asia were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. India accounted for 8.2% of exports in kind, Russia for 5.6%, and the United Kingdom for 3.5%, with these three countries together making up just 17.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. There was a 2.8-fold variation between the maximum value of 4,051 thousand US dollars in 2018 and the minimum of 1,432 thousand US dollars in 2019. In 2020, Western Asia exported paddy rice worth 2,170 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 51.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 64.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 84.1%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. India contributed 10.5% of exports in value terms, the United Kingdom 3.2%, and Russia 2.9%, with these three countries together accounting for just 16.6% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position in the export market.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Paddy rice shipments to Western Asia from abroad increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Western Asia imported 204.1 thousand tonnes of paddy rice, corresponding to a 3.4% uptick compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 45.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 135.5 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 3.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 45.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Thailand, and Bulgaria were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of paddy rice imports to Western Asia. Russia accounted for 22.9% of imports in kind, Thailand for 18.0%, and Bulgaria for 16.4%, with these three countries together comprising 57.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of paddy rice imports to Western Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 93,683 thousand US dollars, up by 9.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 77.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Russia, and India were the main suppliers of paddy rice to Western Asia in value terms. Thailand accounted for 19.5% of imports in value terms, Russia for 18.2%, and India for 17.3%, with these three countries together comprising 55.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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