Market research

Rice market in Southern Asia

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Southern Asia" region includes following countries:

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

Sri Lanka

India

Iran

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

Southern Asia's rice production rose from 255.1 M t in 2018 to 267.4 M t in 2020. The extension of India's RoDTEP scheme stabilized export margins, while the increase in the Minimum Support Price for common-grade paddy in 2020 encouraged farmers to expand output, boosting market volume to 264.1 M t.

Production continued climbing to 280.0 M t in 2021 as India kept export curbs on non-Basmati rice to safeguard domestic supplies. A slight dip to 275.4 M t followed in 2022 after India's export ban on non-Basmati rice removed about 9 M t from global trade, temporarily affecting production incentives.

A strong rebound occurred in 2023, with production reaching 297.5 M t and market volume hitting 294.8 M t. India's re-imposed ban on non-Basmati white rice aimed to contain domestic inflation, focusing production on the home market.

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 Southern Asia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in kind, 2018-2023, M t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, M 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, M 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. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan 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 Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Rice production in Southern Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 267.4 million tonnes of rice, reflecting a gradual year-over-year gain of 4.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.1%	0.4%	4.4%	3.6%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

In 2020, the output of rice in Southern Asia was valued at 147.5 billion US dollars, up by 13.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 25.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.8%	(2.1%)	13.5%	7.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports rice from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year advance, Southern Asia's rice export volume declined. In 2020, the region exported 3 863 thousand tonnes of rice, representing a robust contraction of 14.4% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 6.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 514 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 15.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.8%	15.6%	(14.4%)	2.2%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, rice exports in kind from Southern Asia were spread relatively evenly. China accounted for 12.2% of exports in kind, Kenya for 11.4%, and the United Arab Emirates for 5.7%, with these three countries jointly accounting for only 29.3% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year increase, Southern Asia's volume of rice exports declined. In 2020, the region exported 2 131 million US dollars of rice, amounting to a moderate decrease of 6.9% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 20.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 289 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 14.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.6%	12.8%	(6.9%)	6.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Over 2017–2020, China, Kenya, and the United Arab Emirates were the largest but not dominant buyers of rice from Southern Asia in value terms. China accounted for 9.6% of exports in value, Kenya for 9.3%, and the United Arab Emirates for 8.3%, together accounting for 27.3% of total exports against a broad background of smaller partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports rice to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year drop, Southern Asia's volume of rice imports increased. In 2020, imports came to 603 thousand tonnes, which is 21.9% more versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 65.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 29.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 495 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline also occurring in 2019 at 65.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(18.3%)	(65.1%)	21.9%	(29.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

In 2017–2020, the role of Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam as suppliers of rice to Southern Asia was notable but not dominant. Thailand accounted for 5.1% of imports in kind, Myanmar for 3.7%, and Vietnam for 1.9%, with their joint share reaching only 10.7% of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Rice shipments to Southern Asia from abroad declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 1 572 million US dollars of rice, amounting to a drop of 25.1% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 47.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.2%)	(25.7%)	(25.1%)	(19.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

In 2017–2020, the partner portfolio for imports in value terms of rice to Southern Asia was quite broad. Thailand accounted for 3.8% of imports in value terms, the United Arab Emirates for 2.7%, and Myanmar for 2.2%, with these three countries together representing only 8.7% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io