Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The Argentine market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice experienced significant fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. After starting at 399.7 thousand tons in 2018, volume dropped to 308.0 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 348.8 thousand tons in 2020. A sharp rise to 501.8 thousand tons occurred in 2021, followed by a contraction to 358.4 thousand tons in 2022 and a modest recovery to 373.5 thousand tons in 2023.

The continuous introduction of new genetic rice varieties supported production throughout the period, with growers reporting the use of 30 different cultivars in the 2018-2019 season and up to 33 by 2022-2023. In 2023, the launch of the new premium variety Angiru INTA CL, developed by INTA and commercialized by Fundación Proarroz, created a high-value offering for both domestic and export markets.

Demand-side shifts also influenced the market. From 2020, the emergence of new consumption segments, such as rice-based snacks, cookies, and alfajores, diversified domestic use. External factors, including rising global rice prices linked to El Niño concerns and export restrictions from India, began affecting production incentives and costs from 2020 onward.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Argentina produced 589.7 thousand tonnes of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, marking an 8.2% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 6.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 545.1 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 661.3 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop was observed in 2019, when production fell by 17.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice production in Argentina reached 282.7 million US dollars, showing a strong 20.3% growth over the previous year. Despite this recent gain, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 234.9 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 300.6 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 21.8% drop.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Argentina

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, Argentina's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice rebounded in 2020. The export volume for that year was 249.8 thousand tonnes, representing a 2.4% increase compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 12.8%, averaging an annual decline of 4.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 243.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 9.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, Brazil, and Iraq consistently dominated Argentina's export structure for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in volume terms. Chile accounted for 33.6% of exports, Brazil for 24.5%, and Iraq for 16.5%. Together, these three countries represented 74.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of losses, Argentina's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms increased in 2020. Exports reached 119.7 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 13.9% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value decreased by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 105.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 13.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Argentina in value terms were Chile, Brazil, and Iraq. Chile accounted for 29.6% of export value, Brazil for 25.2%, and Iraq for 16.6%. Collectively, these three markets comprised 71.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Argentina

Imports in kind, K t

Argentina's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import volume reached 8.8 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp 31.3% rise compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 6.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 31.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay remained the primary source for Argentina's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in volume terms, accounting for 79.9% of total imports. Other destinations played a much smaller role in the import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Argentina's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms increased for the second year in a row in 2020. Imports totaled 4.4 million US dollars, equivalent to a solid 24.9% gain versus the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 6.7%, averaging an annual decline of 2.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3.4 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 28.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay concentrated 77.6% of the total import value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Argentina. The remaining flows were distributed among multiple smaller trading partners.

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

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