Rice market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, Argentina's rice market volume showed significant swings. In 2018, rice was declared a national food security crop and received technical and credit assistance, supporting production. However, a continued decline in the use of certified seeds through 2019 reduced yields, pulling the market volume down to 779 thousand tonnes that year.

The market recovered in 2020 as planted area rebounded and growers adopted a wider range of cultivars, lifting the volume to 896 thousand tonnes. This growth accelerated in 2021 with the introduction of the high-yielding, disease-resistant Cambá INTA-Proarroz variety, which helped push production higher and expanded the market volume to 1,174 thousand tonnes.

In 2022, a reduction in export withholdings and the removal of balance volume requirements for exporters stimulated overseas shipments. Combined with a drop in domestic output, this led to a decrease in the market volume to 791 thousand tonnes. By 2023, the number of cultivated varieties increased to 30, and a ban on counterfeit rice with fraudulent labeling helped strengthen domestic market conditions, contributing to a market volume of 868 thousand tonnes. In 2024, key developments included the launch of the new Angiru INTA CL variety and the complete elimination of export withholdings.

Production rice in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Argentina produced 1 223 thousand tonnes of rice in 2020, marking a 2.8% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 7.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 190 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 1 368 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop in production was observed in 2019, falling by 13.0%, whereas the largest gain was in 2018 with a 3.0% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of rice production in Argentina reached 560.9 million US dollars, showing a substantial 25.2% growth from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, production value decreased by 2.9%, averaging a 1.0% annual decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 447.9 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 579.5 million US dollars. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, with a 22.7% drop.

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

Exports rice from Argentina

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Argentina exported 336.0 thousand tonnes of rice, which represents a 19.6% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 18.7%, equating to an average annual reduction of 6.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 417.8 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase also occurring that year at 19.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, Chile, and Iraq were the primary markets for Argentina's rice exports in volume terms. Brazil accounted for 26.9% of exports, Chile for 24.4%, and Iraq for 11.4%. Together, these three countries represented 62.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Argentina's rice exports were valued at 154.1 million US dollars in 2020, reflecting a 2.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 148.5 million US dollars, where the largest decline of 17.3% occurred. The most significant increase was in 2019, with a 5.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Chile, and Iraq continued to be the main destinations for Argentina's rice exports in value terms. Brazil held a 26.6% share, Chile 23.0%, and Iraq 12.4%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 62.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports rice to Argentina

Imports in kind, K t

Rice imports into Argentina grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached approximately 9.1 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp 29.9% increase from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 6.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 29.1% also occurring that year.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Paraguay remained the dominant source for rice imports into Argentina, accounting for 77.3% of total import volume. The remaining imports were distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Argentina's rice import value increased in 2020. Imports amounted to 4.8 million US dollars, marking a 24.1% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3.8 million US dollars, while the largest decline of 20.9% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay was the leading market for Argentina's rice imports in value terms, holding a 71.8% share of total flows. The remainder was spread across numerous other destinations.

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

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