Rice market in China

Earlier Report Observations

China's rice market volume remained stable between 2018 and 2023, ranging from 207.6 to 215.3 million tonnes. This stability was primarily supported by the government's minimum purchase price policy, which sustained domestic production. The peak in 2021 at 215.3 million tonnes was aided by a sharp increase in imports, while the contraction to 207.6 million tonnes in 2023 followed a significant drop in imports and a slight decline in domestic output.

The market value exhibited strong growth, rising from $90.8 billion in 2018 to $125.4 billion in 2023. This increase was driven by a clear consumer shift towards premium rice varieties and small-pack products, alongside elevated global rice prices. International prices were pushed higher by India's partial rice export ban in 2022, which tightened global supply.

The market structure evolved with the growing importance of brand building and a more diversified import base. New sales channels like e-commerce and live-streaming began to reshape traditional distribution patterns, while industry consolidation progressed, particularly within the expanding premium segment.

Production rice in China

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

China was the world's leading producer of rice from 2017 to 2020, consistently ranking first in production volume.

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, China's rice production rebounded in 2020, reaching 211.9 million tonnes. This marked a modest increase of 1.1% compared to 2019, when production hit its lowest point at 209.6 million tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, M t

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

After two years of decline, rice production in China increased in value terms in 2020, reaching 84.2 billion US dollars, up 4.3% year-over-year. However, from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 20.5%, averaging an annual decline of 7.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 80.8 billion US dollars, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports rice from China

Exports in kind, K t

Rice export volumes from China showed significant fluctuations during the period. In 2017, exports reached their lowest point, while they peaked in 2019 at 2 747 thousand tonnes, representing a 2.3-fold increase over the low. In 2020, exports fell to 2 304 thousand tonnes, a sharp decline of 16.1% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 74.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China exported rice to numerous countries, with the top destinations—Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, and South Korea—collectively accounting for just 32.9% of total export volumes, indicating a highly diversified market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, China's rice export value declined in 2020 to 916 million US dollars, down 13.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 53.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.4%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 059 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 48.9%.

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

The export partner structure in value terms remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. South Korea (14.6% of export value), Côte d'Ivoire (10.2%), and Egypt (7.5%) together accounted for only 32.3% of total flows, with no single country dominating the market.

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

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

Imports rice to China

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, China's rice import volumes increased in 2020 to 2 911 thousand tonnes, a substantial gain of 16.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 27.1%, averaging an annual decline of 10.0%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 2 503 thousand tonnes, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 23.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam (40.0% of import volumes), Thailand (23.0%), and Pakistan (13.6%) were the main sources of rice imports to China, together accounting for 76.7% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, China's rice import value rose in 2020 to 1 459 million US dollars, up 16.4% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 20.2%, with an average annual decline of 7.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 253 million US dollars, when the largest decline of 21.7% occurred.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam (40.0% of import value), Thailand (26.7%), and Pakistan (10.8%) were the primary sources of rice imports to China in value terms, collectively representing 77.4% of total import value.

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

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