Paddy rice market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

The paddy rice market in Turkey grew from 998 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 1 159 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion was driven by sustained government support through the Inward Processing Regime and subsidies, which encouraged increased cultivation areas and yields. Technological advancements, including the development of over 90 rice varieties by state-owned research institutes and the adoption of precision farming techniques like laser land leveling, boosted production efficiency. Concurrently, rising domestic consumption and a growing consumer preference for locally produced rice further supported market growth.

After 2020, the market contracted to 966 thousand tons in 2022, primarily due to a sharp drop in imports, which fell from 179 thousand tons in 2020 to just 16 thousand tons in 2022. Domestic production remained relatively stable, supported by ongoing policies and the Inward Processing Regime, which continued to facilitate rice exports. Increased competition from standardized imported rice, particularly from the United States, also pressured import volumes during this period.

In 2023, the market stabilized at 952 thousand tons, a decrease of less than 2% from the previous year. This stabilization occurred despite a decline in domestic production, as imports recovered moderately. Global supply shortages, caused by adverse weather in major producer countries such as China and Pakistan and the war in Ukraine, led to higher rice prices and influenced trade dynamics. The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry maintained active monitoring and implemented market stability measures throughout the year.

Production paddy rice Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Turkey's paddy rice production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1 000 K t, marking a 6.4% rise. However, in 2020, output fell to 980 K t, representing a 2.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production grew by 8.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%.

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

Exports paddy rice to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.1 K t, which was an 83.7% decline. In 2019, exports surged by 265.3%, but in 2020, they dropped sharply to 0.2 K t, a 47.0% year-on-year decrease. From the high in 2017 to the low in 2018, volumes varied by 6.1 times.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the primary destination for Turkey's paddy rice exports in kind, accounting for 70.8% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Turkey's paddy rice exports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 160 K $ US, a slight 2.3% rise from the previous year. However, the lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 118 K $ US, reflecting a 41.1% decline. In 2019, exports rebounded with a 32.0% increase. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 20.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Turkey's paddy rice exports in value terms were Russia (40.8% of exports), Ukraine (8.2%), and Iraq (6.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 55.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports paddy rice in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility in these years. Import volumes hit their lowest in 2018 at 57.8 K t, a 53.6% decline. In 2020, imports peaked at 179.5 K t, showing a steep 77.4% increase compared to the previous year. Volumes shifted by 3.1 times between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, the main sources for Turkey's paddy rice imports in kind were Russia (32.9% of imports), Bulgaria (24.1%), and the United States (17.5%). These three countries combined represented 74.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed volatility over the observed period. Import values were at their lowest in 2018, totaling 21 241 K $ US, which was a 48.3% decline. In 2020, imports reached a high of 78 893 K $ US, reflecting a sharp 115.0% increase from the year before. Values fluctuated by 3.7 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (30.0% of imports in value terms), Bulgaria (22.7%), and the United States (21.8%) were consistently the top destinations for Turkey's paddy rice imports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 74.4% of total import flows.

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

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