Rice market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

The Turkish rice market volume expanded from 1.1 million tonnes in 2018 to 1.3 million tonnes in 2020. This growth was driven by state support for domestic production through the Inward Processing Regime (Dahilde İşleme Rejimi) and high international prices, which encouraged local farmers. Additionally, the adoption of advanced agricultural techniques, such as laser-controlled land leveling, and the development of over 90 rice varieties by public institutes boosted yields and output. Increasing consumer preference for locally grown rice further supported domestic demand.

Market volume contracted to 1.1 million tonnes in 2021, primarily due to a sharp drop in imports. It then recovered, reaching 1.4 million tonnes by 2023. The rebound coincided with a global rice supply shortfall caused by adverse weather in China and Pakistan and the war in Ukraine, which pushed up prices and heightened reliance on domestic production. Continued government incentives and the Inward Processing Regime maintained local output and exports, particularly to Middle Eastern countries.

Production rice Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Turkey's rice production saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1 000 K t, marking a 6.4% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, production fell slightly by 2.0% to 980 K t. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 8.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Turkey's rice production value declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, it peaked at 555.8 M $ US, with an 11.6% increase from the previous year. By 2020, the value had dropped by 5.4% to 508.3 M $ US. From 2017 to 2020, overall production value rose by 2.1%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%.

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

Exports rice to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Turkey's rice exports rebounded. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 202.1 K t, following a significant 24.2% drop in 2018. In 2020, exports increased by 15.8% to 234.1 K t. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 16.5%, averaging an annual decline of 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Syria, and Libya were the primary destinations for Turkey's rice exports in volume terms. Iraq accounted for 28.1% of exports, Syria for 26.3%, and Libya for 16.6%. Together, these three countries represented 71.0% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of decrease, Turkey's rice export value rose. In 2019, it reached its minimum at 108.6 M $ US, after a 19.0% decline in 2018. In 2020, exports increased robustly by 11.8% to 121.4 M $ US. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Iraq, Syria, and Libya were the key partners for Turkey's rice exports in value terms. Iraq made up 30.6% of exports, Syria 22.9%, and Libya 17.2%. Collectively, they accounted for 70.8% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports rice in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

Turkey's rice imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports were at their lowest at 408.1 K t, with a 23.5% decline from the previous year. In 2019, imports surged by 27.6%, and in 2020, they grew further by 12.3% to 584.5 K t. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 9.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, India, and Greece were the main sources of rice imports to Turkey in volume terms. China contributed 31.1% of imports, India 14.3%, and Greece 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented 56.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Turkey's rice import value increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, it was at its minimum of 205.6 M $ US, after a 13.5% drop from the previous year. In 2019, imports jumped by 19.3%, and in 2020, they rose by 17.8% to 288.9 M $ US. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 21.6%, equating to an average annual increase of 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and Greece were the primary suppliers of rice to Turkey in value terms. China accounted for 26.1% of imports, India for 15.5%, and Greece for 11.6%. Jointly, they made up 53.1% of total import flows.

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

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