Rice market in Peru

Earlier Report Observations

Peru's rice market volume reached 3 829 thousand tonnes in 2018, but an oversupply that year depressed farm‑gate prices and led producers to cut back planting in 2019. As a result, production fell by 10.4%, pulling the market size down to 3 446 thousand tonnes. The market recovered to 3 704 thousand tonnes in 2020, supported by higher prices triggered by pandemic‑related supply chain disruptions and the opening of a significant export channel to Colombia, which absorbed 44 814 tonnes.

International rice prices remained elevated through mid‑2021, keeping domestic prices high and reducing import volumes, which helped lift the market to 3 775 thousand tonnes. However, in 2022 the market contracted to 3 444 thousand tonnes as producers faced soaring fertilizer costs, water shortages in key regions like Lambayeque and Piura, and reduced planting intentions due to unfavorable price signals. The reinstatement of the National Rice Council (CONAR) in August 2022 aimed to address these challenges. By 2023 the market had partially rebounded to 3 533 thousand tonnes, buoyed by a 22.4% rise in import value and steady domestic demand, with per‑capita consumption around 61 kg, though structural issues such as informal trading and uneven quality persisted.

Production rice in Peru

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Peru was among the world's leading rice producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 23rd globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Peru produced 3 434 thousand tons of rice, marking a 7.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 10.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 558 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase of 14.2% occurring that same year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline, with production dropping by 10.3%.

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

Exports rice from Peru

Exports in kind, K t

Rice exports from Peru rose for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 45.5 thousand tons, a substantial year-on-year increase of 21.7%. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 23 068.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 514.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Colombia accounted for nearly all of Peru's rice exports in volume terms, representing 97.8% of the total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Peru's rice exports in value terms also grew for the third straight year in 2020, totaling 30.3 million US dollars, a 43.9% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, export value expanded by 13 377.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 412.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia dominated Peru's rice exports in value as well, capturing 97.5% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports rice to Peru

Imports in kind, K t

Rice imports into Peru increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 315.6 thousand tons, a 7.8% improvement over the past year. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall imports declined by 21.4%, averaging an annual decrease of 7.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 271.5 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual drop of 32.4%. In 2019, imports rebounded with the biggest increase of 7.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Uruguay and Brazil together absorbed 89.2% of Peru's rice imports by volume, with the remaining share distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Peru's rice imports in value terms rose for the second year in a row in 2020, totaling 181.1 million US dollars, an 8.7% increase from the previous year. Despite this recent growth, imports decreased by 21.9% over the 2017-2020 period, with a compound annual decline rate of 7.9%. The lowest import value was in 2018 at 160.4 million US dollars, which also experienced the sharpest annual decline of 30.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uruguay and Brazil were the main suppliers of rice to Peru in value terms, jointly accounting for 90.6% of total import value, while other countries made up the balance.

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

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