Rice market in Colombia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Colombian rice production and market volume saw a significant upswing in 2020, with output reaching 3 039 thousand tons and the market expanding to 3 316 thousand tons. This 15% growth was primarily driven by a 14% increase in planted area, supported by public investment in milling infrastructure and favorable weather conditions. Concurrently, the adoption of advanced technologies boosted productivity in key regions like the Llanos and Santanderes, enhancing overall supply.

After the 2020 peak, production and market volume contracted over the next two years, falling to 2 609 thousand tons and 2 829 thousand tons respectively by 2022. The decline in 2022 was influenced by the termination of the rice storage subsidy, which reduced institutional support for growers. During this period, consumer prices rose by over 54%, while imports fluctuated, reaching 223 thousand tons in 2022 as the market adjusted.

A recovery followed in 2023, with production climbing back to 3 006 thousand tons and the market volume to 3 175 thousand tons. This rebound was underpinned by strong domestic consumption, a trend amplified by the pandemic, and a record harvest. The industry further evolved with the launch of new premium rice varieties, such as Integral and Extra-Gourmet, which received international quality seals. Looking ahead, planted area hit a historic high in 2024, though a roughly 30% drop in international rice prices began pressuring local profitability.

Production rice in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Colombia ranked 25th globally in rice production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Rice production in Colombia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 039 K t of rice, which is 15.1% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 12.4%, representing an annualized rate of 4.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 591 K t, with the largest decline of 4.1% occurring that same year.

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

Exports rice from Colombia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. From 2017 to 2019, exports fluctuated dramatically, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 338 times. In 2020, Colombia's rice exports reached 2.0 K t, marking a significant increase of 31 175.5% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K t, accompanied by the largest decline of 99.6% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for Colombia's rice exports in kind were Free Zones (36.2% of exports), Haiti (33.5% of exports), and Venezuela (27.9% of exports). Together, these three accounted for 97.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports peaked in 2020 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a 185-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Colombia's rice export value amounted to 1.8 M $ US, which is 18 386.8% higher than in 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 M $ US, with the largest decline of 99.4% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Venezuela (33.1% of exports in value terms), Haiti (32.6% of exports in value terms), and Free Zones (30.2% of exports in value terms) consistently led as the top destinations in Colombia's export structure by value. Collectively, they accounted for 95.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports rice to Colombia

Imports in kind, K t

Rice imports to Colombia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 279.0 K t, representing a 20.7% year-over-year growth. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 119.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, the structure of rice imports in kind was dominated by the United States, which accounted for 76.4% of total flows, alongside numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Rice imports to Colombia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 162.8 M $ US, showing a sharp gain of 44.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 131.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Ecuador remained the primary suppliers of rice to Colombia, together accounting for 86.5% of total imports in value terms, while the remainder was distributed among various other countries.

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

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