Rice market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Western European rice market volume increased from 1,04 млн т to 1,4 млн т. This expansion was supported by the enforcement of Italian Legislative Decree 131/2017, which mandated clear labeling based on traditional varieties and required origin disclosure, enhancing transparency and bolstering consumer trust in the product.

Between 2021 and 2023, market volume stabilized at a high level, fluctuating between 1,38 млн т and 1,48 млн т. In 2021, imports of Indica rice rose substantially to meet ongoing demand, while 2022 saw further import growth from Southeast Asia as European producers contended with climatic stress and higher production costs. The period also witnessed technological innovations, such as the adoption of double-phase whitening systems and automated mini mills in 2023, which improved milling productivity and supported domestic processing capabilities.

Entering 2024, the market landscape was influenced by strategic developments like the Euricom and Fatima Rice Mills joint venture aimed at securing premium Basmati rice for Europe. Concurrently, European rice cultivation faced persistent headwinds from adverse weather, elevated energy and fertilizer costs, and competitive pressure from third-country imports, even as demand for organic rice and supply-chain digitalization continued to gain traction.

Production rice in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Western Europe produced 75.5 K t of rice, marking an 8.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 71.4 K t. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 22.8%, while the biggest increase was seen in 2019, rising by 15.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of rice output in Western Europe stood at 224.4 M $ US, showing little change from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 6.9%, translating to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 168.3 M $ US, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 225.4 M $ US. The most significant decline took place in 2018, falling by 19.8%, and the largest increase was in 2019, up by 33.9%.

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

Exports rice from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 874 K t of rice, representing a sharp 54.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 60.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 17.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 884 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 35.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up by 62.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in kind was highly fragmented. Poland accounted for 11.7% of exports, the United Kingdom for 10.5%, and Italy for 3.1%, with these three countries together making up just 25.3% of total flows. No single partner emerged as clearly dominant during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, rice exports from Western Europe reached 777 M $ US, reflecting a substantial 16.1% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 33.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, down by 4.8%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 20.8%.

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

The export structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. The United Kingdom contributed 10.9% of export value, Poland 6.2%, and Sweden 3.4%, with these three countries together accounting for only 20.5% of total flows. No country held a clearly dominant position in the export market.

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

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

Imports rice to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, Western Europe's rice import volume increased in 2020. Imports totaled 2 202 K t, up by 21.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 18.1%, with an annualized rate of 5.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 816 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 2.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, rice imports to Western Europe came from a wide range of markets. Italy supplied 18.3% of imports in kind, Myanmar 11.7%, and Spain 9.3%, with these three countries together making up 39.3% of total imports. The remaining 60.7% was distributed among many smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border rice shipments to Western Europe increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports reached 1 961 M $ US, up by 19.1% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 36%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 10.8%.

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

The import structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Italy accounted for 20.9% of import value, Thailand for 10.5%, and India for 10.0%, with these three countries together contributing 41.3% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position in the import market.

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

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