Market research

Rice market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Latin America and the Caribbean" region includes following countries:

Argentina

Bolivia

Bouvet Island

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

French Guiana

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Antigua and Barbuda

the Bahamas

Barbados

British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Cuba

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Grenada

Guadeloupe

Haiti

Jamaica

Martinique

Montserrat

Curacao

Aruba

Saint Maarten (Dutch part)

Bonaire

Puerto Rico

Saint-Barthélemy

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Anguilla

Saint Lucia

Saint-Martin (French Part)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

Turks and Caicos Islands

United States Virgin Islands

Earlier Report Observations

The rice market in Latin America and the Caribbean showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market volume started at 28 780 thousand tonnes in 2018, fell to 26 287 thousand tonnes in 2019, and then recovered to 29 567 thousand tonnes in 2021. This volatility occurred against a long-term backdrop of rising yields, a trend historically supported by international agricultural centers, which helped offset reductions in cultivated area.

After declining to 26 668 thousand tonnes in 2022, the market expanded to 27 135 thousand tonnes in 2023. This recovery was driven by increased consumption linked to higher regional incomes and a growing consumer preference for healthier brown rice varieties. Simultaneously, the widespread adoption of hybrid seeds and advanced agricultural technologies, promoted by organizations like FLAR and CIAT, enhanced productivity and supported output in major producing nations such as Brazil and Ecuador.

In 2024, the industry's focus shifted towards sustainability and technological transformation. Brazil's elimination of import tariffs on specific rice types aimed to facilitate market access, while the sector emphasized phytosanitary control and traceability to maintain competitiveness. The region also prepared to host a major international rice conference in Panama, highlighting the continued push for scientific and technological exchange.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Latin America and the Caribbean
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production rice in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Rice production in Latin America and the Caribbean increased in 2020, following a two-year decline. The region produced 27 717 thousand tonnes of rice that year, marking a moderate 6.5% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 2.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 26 020 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year decline of 7.0% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.9%)	(7.0%)	6.5%	(0.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of rice production in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 16 813 million US dollars, representing a 10.5% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 13.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15 220 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 19 435 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.1%	(21.7%)	10.5%	(4.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports rice from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Rice exports from Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The region exported 3 345 thousand tonnes of rice that year, representing a sharp 36.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export volumes grew by 70.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.8%	13.7%	36.3%	19.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market for rice from Latin America and the Caribbean was highly diversified. The top three destinations—Senegal (4.9% of exports), Iraq (4.3%), and Sierra Leone (3.5%)—together accounted for just 12.7% of total export flows. The remaining 87.3% was distributed across numerous other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, rice exports from Latin America and the Caribbean reached 2 029 million US dollars, representing a significant 41.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 51.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.0%	(4.3%)	41.4%	14.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the value of rice exports from Latin America and the Caribbean was spread across a wide range of partner countries. The top three—Iraq (4.9% of export value), Senegal (3.7%), and Sierra Leone (2.7%)—together accounted for only 11.3% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports rice to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

Rice imports into Latin America and the Caribbean increased in 2020, following a two-year decline. Imports amounted to 3 088 thousand tonnes that year, reflecting a solid 13.5% gain compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes decreased by 13.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.9%. The lowest import level was recorded in 2019 at 2 721 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 17.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(17.7%)	(7.9%)	13.5%	(4.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (35.0% of imports), Vietnam (7.6%), and Thailand (0.7%) were the leading suppliers of rice to Latin America and the Caribbean. Together, these three countries accounted for 43.3% of total import volumes.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of rice imports into Latin America and the Caribbean reached 2 592 million US dollars, showing a substantial 41.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 20.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 827 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 16.0% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.3%	(16.0%)	41.9%	6.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the value of rice imports into Latin America and the Caribbean was characterized by a broad distribution across markets. The top three suppliers—the United States (36.3% of import value), Vietnam (7.7%), and Thailand (0.8%)—together accounted for 44.9% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io