Rice market in Brunei Darussalam

Earlier Report Observations

The rice market in Brunei was initially influenced by government strategies to enhance food security. A 2018 pilot project by the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies aimed to improve the rice value chain, followed by the introduction of maximum price controls in 2019 to maintain affordability. These measures coincided with a market volume reaching 41 968 t in 2019. A clear policy push in 2020 to reduce import dependency and bolster domestic agriculture led to a surge in local production, which rose to 3 900 t, though total market volume dipped slightly to 40 605 t as imports fell.

From 2021, external supply factors became the primary market driver. A reported drop in rice production from key supplier nations like Cambodia and Thailand directly constrained Brunei's imports, causing a sharp contraction in market volume to 32 525 t in 2021. Persistent global supply pressures in 2022 kept the market stable at around 32 000 t. By 2023, the market volume had fallen further to 23 651 t, reflecting sustained import limitations even as domestic production held steady at 3 726 t.

Production rice in Brunei Darussalam

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

In 2019, Brunei Darussalam's rice production declined by 4.2%. However, in 2020, production rebounded significantly, reaching 3 900 tonnes—a 69.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 69.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brunei Darussalam in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports rice from Brunei Darussalam

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during the observed period. In 2018, exports peaked at 2 102 tonnes, but then fell sharply by 95.1% in 2019. By 2020, exports had dropped to just 20 tonnes—an 81.0% decrease from 2019 and a 106-fold decline from the 2018 peak. The most dramatic increase occurred in 2018, when exports surged by 8,874.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brunei Darussalam in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Brunei Darussalam's rice exports were almost exclusively directed to Singapore, which accounted for 97.1% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed significant fluctuations over this period. In 2018, exports reached their highest point at 1 784 thousand US dollars, but then plummeted by 91.0% in 2019. By 2020, export values had fallen to 24 thousand US dollars—an 84.9% decrease from 2019 and a 73-fold drop from the 2018 peak. The most substantial increase occurred in 2018, with export values jumping by 4,173.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market was highly concentrated, with Singapore alone responsible for 90.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports rice to Brunei Darussalam

Imports in kind, t

After increasing for two consecutive years, Brunei Darussalam's rice imports declined in 2020. Imports reached 39 772 tonnes in 2019—the highest point during the period—but then fell to 36 725 tonnes in 2020, representing a 7.7% decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 47.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.8%. The largest single-year increase occurred in 2018, when imports rose by 51.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brunei Darussalam in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Brunei Darussalam's rice imports were primarily sourced from Thailand and Cambodia, which together accounted for 89.1% of total import volumes, while other countries played a minor role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Brunei Darussalam's rice import values declined in 2020. Import values peaked at 43 890 thousand US dollars in 2019, then fell to 41 414 thousand US dollars in 2020—a 5.6% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values increased by 90.8%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 24.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when import values rose by 55.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand and Cambodia were the dominant sources for Brunei Darussalam's rice imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 90.5% of total import value, with the remaining share distributed among other markets.

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

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