Rice market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The rice market in the Americas fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023. High global rice prices and steady production volumes supported a market size of 38 216 thousand metric tons in 2018. Macroeconomic factors including trade policies and government subsidies in major producing countries contributed to a decline to 33 835 thousand metric tons in 2019. A rebound followed in 2020, with the market reaching 37 255 thousand metric tons, driven by increased demand for rice-based products and the integration of rice meals into fast-food chain menus.

Market dynamics shifted in the early 2020s. Price stabilization after previous increases and the development of new high-yield, aromatic rice varieties by USDA scientists supported growth to 37 673 thousand metric tons in 2021. The market contracted to 33 188 thousand metric tons in 2022, primarily due to volatile input costs from the Russia-Ukraine war and a severe drought that reduced rice acreage in California. Recovery ensued in 2023, with the market size climbing to 36 892 thousand metric tons, fueled by the fastest growth in North America from rising demand for fragrant and specialty rice varieties, alongside expansion projects by major rice processors.

Production rice in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

In 2019, rice production in the Americas reached its lowest point at 34 416 thousand tonnes. The following year, in 2020, output surged to 38 037 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 10.5% increase from the previous year. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 38 139 thousand tonnes, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 9.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of rice production in the Americas hit a low of 20 059 million US dollars. By 2020, this figure rose to 23 342 million US dollars, representing a 16.4% increase from the year before. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production value decreased by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 26 999 million US dollars, and the most substantial decline took place in 2019 with a 25.7% drop.

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

Exports rice from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

Rice exports from the Americas have been on an upward trend for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 3 336 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp 34.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 69.3%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 19.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, rice exports from the Americas in volume terms were spread across a wide range of markets. The top three destinations—Senegal with 4.9% of exports, Iraq with 4.3%, and Sierra Leone with 3.5%—collectively accounted for only 12.6% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of rice exports from the Americas climbed to 2 047 million US dollars, up by 41.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 52%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.2%.

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

The structure of rice exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was characterized by diversification. Iraq accounted for 4.9% of export value, Senegal for 3.7%, and Sierra Leone for 2.6%, together making up just 11.2% of total flows. No single country held a dominant position in the export market.

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

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

Imports rice to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, rice imports into the Americas rebounded in 2020. Import volume that year reached 2 555 thousand tonnes, a dramatic 33.9% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 46.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 908 thousand tonnes, and the sharpest decline occurred in 2018 with a 53.2% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for rice imports into the Americas in volume terms were Vietnam with 7.3% of imports, Thailand with 2.1%, and India with 1.5%. Together, these three countries represented 10.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of rice imports into the Americas was at its lowest point, totaling 2 242 million US dollars. By 2020, this value rose to 3 039 million US dollars, a sudden 35.6% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 24.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with an 11.5% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, rice imports into the Americas in value terms were distributed across a broad set of partner countries. Vietnam accounted for 6.8% of import value, Thailand for 4.4%, and India for 3.3%, jointly making up just 14.5% of total flows, reflecting a diversified import structure.

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

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