Rice market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish rice market volume declined from 724 thousand tons in 2018 to 651 thousand tons in 2020. This was influenced by the strong pressure from large retail chains, which accounted for about 60% of sales through private labels, squeezing grower profitability. Producers also faced a lack of adequate plant protection products and usage restrictions, undermining competitiveness. Although 2020 saw a high production volume, the cultivated area began to contract, signaling future challenges.

A severe and prolonged drought from 2021 onward drastically altered the market. Adverse weather in key basins like Guadiana and Guadalquivir caused domestic production to plummet from 739 thousand tons in 2020 to 334 thousand tons in 2023. This shortfall was partially offset by a surge in imports, which rose from 211 thousand tons to 364 thousand tons over the same period, turning the trade balance negative. The market volume consequently fell to 496 thousand tons in 2022 before a slight recovery to 507 thousand tons in 2023. Throughout this period, the sector contended with unfair competition from preferential imports under EU trade agreements, prompting calls for mandatory country-of-origin labeling to support local producers.

Production rice in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Rice production in Spain has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, Spain produced 739.2 thousand tons of rice, marking a moderate decrease of 5.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 11.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's rice production value has dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 544.6 million US dollars, down by 0.7% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 556.2 million US dollars, with the largest decrease of 1.4% occurring in 2019 and the largest increase of 3.6% in 2018.

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

Exports rice from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Spain's rice exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 299.2 thousand tons, up by 3.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 7.8%, representing an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Portugal were the main markets for Spain's rice exports in volume terms, accounting for 29.6%, 19.9%, and 8.9% of exports, respectively. Together, they made up 58.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's rice exports in value terms have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 220.4 million US dollars, an increase of 8.3% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 23.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and France were the primary buyers of Spanish rice in value terms, representing 25.5%, 17.8%, and 9.3% of exports, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 52.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports rice to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's rice imports have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 210.5 thousand tons, showing little change from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 43%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, Spain's rice imports in volume terms were relatively evenly distributed among suppliers. Thailand, Myanmar, and Pakistan were the top sources, accounting for 14.8%, 14.6%, and 12.2% of imports, respectively, but together they represented only 41.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's rice imports in value terms have increased for the third year running. In 2020, imports were recorded at 137.1 million US dollars, up by 3.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 44.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 13.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's rice imports in value terms were spread across numerous markets. Pakistan, Thailand, and Italy were the leading suppliers, accounting for 17.3%, 15.6%, and 9.9% of imports, respectively, but together they made up only 42.8% of total import flows.

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

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