Rice market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Russian rice market expanded steadily, with volume growing from 1.1 million tons to 1.2 million tons. This growth was driven by state and private investment support, the introduction of new agricultural technologies, and rising production profitability, which increased from 34% in 2018. Expanded sown areas and higher yields led to a record harvest of 1.14 million tons in 2020, despite logistical disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the 2020 peak, both production and market volume declined in 2021. A more severe drop occurred in 2022 when production fell to 920 thousand tons due to an accident at the Fedorov hydro unit in Krasnodar Krai, which reduced sown area and yield. In response, a ban on exports of paddy rice was introduced to secure domestic supply, and imports rose by 4.5% to compensate for the shortfall.

The market recovered in 2023, reaching 1.25 million tons, a 13.5% increase from the previous year. Production rebounded by 15% to 1.07 million tons, supported by ongoing state backing, investment in technology, and improved production efficiency. The export ban remained in force, helping to maintain stability in domestic availability.

Production rice in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Russia's rice production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 142 thousand tons of rice, marking a moderate 3.9% improvement compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Russia's rice production has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 529.2 million US dollars, which is 6.5% higher than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 26.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports rice from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Russia exported 144.9 thousand tons of rice, down by 16.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 21.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 18.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 15.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for Russia's rice exports in kind were Turkey, accounting for 35.8% of exports, Belgium with 11.7%, and Kazakhstan at 6.4%. Together, these three countries made up 53.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Russia exported 67.2 million US dollars worth of rice, showing a significant fall of 14.3% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 13.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 78.4 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russian rice was supplied to a broad set of markets. Turkey accounted for 30.9% of exports in value terms, Kazakhstan for 8.8%, and Mongolia for 7.9%, together making up 47.6% of total exports. The remaining 52.4% came from many smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports rice to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, foreign rice supplies to Russia stood at 224.6 thousand tons, which is 5.5% less year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 7.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 218.4 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 10.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 8.8%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the primary suppliers of rice to Russia in kind were India, accounting for 37.9% of imports, Thailand with 17.5%, and Kazakhstan at 14.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 69.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year increase, rice imports into Russia declined. In 2020, imports totalled 102.5 million US dollars, constituting a moderate decline of 6.2% over the past year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 109.3 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 6.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for rice imports in value terms were India, Thailand, and Pakistan, together accounting for 68.9% of total flows.

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

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