Rice market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the rice market volume in Eastern Europe grew from 1,696 thousand tonnes to 1,876 thousand tonnes. This expansion was primarily driven by increased domestic production in Russia, supported by improved cultivation technologies, rising profitability reaching 34%, and the expansion of planted areas. The continued growth in harvests ensured a steady supply to the market.

The market contracted to 1,753 thousand tonnes in 2021, influenced by international sanctions, currency fluctuations, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted trade flows and economic activity. A further decline to 1,699 thousand tonnes occurred in 2022, coinciding with the introduction of temporary restrictions on exports of paddy rice and rice groats. These measures were designed to prioritize domestic supply, though a dip in production that year also contributed to the smaller market size.

A recovery followed in 2023, with the market volume reaching 1,745 thousand tonnes. This turnaround was fueled by a record rice harvest in Russia of 1,259 thousand tonnes, alongside a significant rise in profitability to 83.5% due to technological advances and new rice varieties. Ongoing export restrictions helped direct more of this increased production toward the domestic market, supporting its recovery.

Production rice in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Rice production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1 305 thousand tons of rice, marking a 2.4% year-on-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 12%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of rice production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 901.6 million US dollars, up 2.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 35.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports rice from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Rice exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 320.8 thousand tons, a 3.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 271.3 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 9.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 14.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, rice exports in kind from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) showed a broad distribution across markets. Turkey accounted for 30.3% of exports, Belgium for 5.8%, and Kazakhstan for 3.1%, but together these three countries represented only 39.2% of total flows, indicating a diversified export structure.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Rice exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 221.7 million US dollars, reflecting a 3.5% year-on-year uptick. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 29.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, Turkey was the largest buyer of rice from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), accounting for 20.2% of exports in value terms, followed by Germany and Italy, each with 4.0%. However, even combined, these three countries represented just 28.2% of total exports, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports rice to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Rice imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 891.6 thousand tons, a 7.9% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import volume grew by 21.2%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the supplier portfolio for rice imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was diverse. India contributed 14.7% of imports in kind, Myanmar 11.7%, and Italy 11.6%, but together these three countries accounted for only 38.0% of total imports, with many other nations holding smaller yet significant shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of rice imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has increased for the third year running. In 2020, imports stood at 516.9 million US dollars, showing a solid 11.9% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value surged by 37.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, rice imports in value terms to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not heavily concentrated. Italy accounted for 14.6% of imports, India for 13.3%, and Myanmar for 9.4%, but together they made up only 37.4% of total flows, underscoring a well-diversified import market.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020