Rice market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, rice production in Central America remained relatively stable, ranging between 1 364 and 1 428 thousand tonnes. The market volume fluctuated, dropping to 2 195 thousand tonnes in 2019 due to a sharp decline in imports, then recovering to 2 842 thousand tonnes in 2020. During this period, Nicaragua expanded its cultivated area and improved yields through technology transfer programs, covering around 70% of its national consumption and supporting regional output.

Starting in 2021, imports rose markedly, reaching 1 617 thousand tonnes that year and climbing to 2 130 thousand tonnes by 2024, while production gradually fell to 1 338 thousand tonnes by 2023. This shift was propelled by trade policy changes: in Honduras, the progressive tariff reduction under CAFTA weakened domestic producer protection, boosting imports and curtailing local harvests. In Costa Rica, the 'Ruta del Arroz' policy slashed import duties and removed price controls, doubling rice imports and squeezing national production. International cost pressures from the Russia-Ukraine war further strained farmers.

By 2024, imports climbed to 2 130 thousand tonnes, indicating sustained reliance on foreign rice despite national protection measures in countries like Panama. Governments responded with decrees to shield local growers, but structural dependency on imports persisted across the region.

Production rice in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Central America produced 1 428 K t of rice, marking a measured year-over-year increase of 4.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 1.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 6.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, rice production in Central America declined in 2020. The output was valued at 889 M $ US, down by 16.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 7%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The maximum value was reached in 2019 at 1 061 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 19.4%.

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

Exports rice from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Central America's rice export volume increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 31 K t, which is 61.6% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 3.8%, with an annualized rate of decline of 1.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 16 K t, and the largest decline occurred in the same year, at 50.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Venezuela, the United States, and Colombia remained the main buyers of rice from Central America, accounting for 10.2%, 8.9%, and 2.8% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they formed 22.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Central America's rice export value increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, standing at 19.6 M $ US, which corresponds to a year-over-year rise of 29.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 6.5%, with an annualized rate of decline of 2.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 11.7 M $ US, with the largest decline in that year at 44.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 29.8%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Venezuela, the United States, and Colombia were the main destinations for rice exports from Central America in value terms, accounting for 18.5%, 14.3%, and 5.2% of exports, respectively. Together, they absorbed 38.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports rice to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, rice imports to Central America totalled 1 445 K t, reflecting a sudden advance of 69.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 851 K t, and the largest decline occurred in that year, at 38.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Brazil, and Uruguay remained the leading sources in the country structure of imports in kind, accounting for 64.7%, 11.1%, and 7.6% of imports, respectively. Their combined share was 83.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 2.1-fold difference between the low of 2019 and the high of 2020. In 2020, Central America imported rice valued at 346.1 M $ US, corresponding to a sharp rise of 114.5% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 346.1 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in that year, at 52.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States, Uruguay, and Brazil made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms, accounting for 65.0%, 9.1%, and 8.2% of imports, respectively. Together, they jointly accounted for 82.4% of total flows.

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

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