Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Asia fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 392.2 million tonnes. It dipped to 379.9 million tonnes in 2019 before recovering to levels around 391–392 million tonnes in 2020 and 2021. After a slight decline to 385.6 million tonnes in 2022, the market expanded again to reach 397.7 million tonnes in 2023.

Several developments marked the market environment in 2024. Increased global rice consumption, especially from major importers like Indonesia and the Philippines, supported export activity. A weaker Thai baht improved the price competitiveness of rice exports, while a government interest compensation scheme for traders aimed to encourage stockpiling and enhance supply chain liquidity. Consumer trends also shifted, with growing demand for healthier options such as brown rice and new specialty rice varieties.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M 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 2019, Asia's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice reached its lowest point at 386.6 million tonnes, marking a 2.5% decline from the previous year. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 396.1 million tonnes, showing a modest increase of 2.4% compared to 2019. The peak production level was recorded in 2018 at 396.3 million tonnes.

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

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

The value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice production in Asia stood at 273.7 billion US dollars in 2019, which represented a significant 9.8% drop from the previous year. In 2020, production value increased slightly to 278.9 billion US dollars, up 1.9% year-over-year. The highest value was achieved in 2018 at 303.3 billion US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.4%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports fell by 7.5% to their lowest level, before dropping further in 2020 to 12 542 thousand tonnes, a 5.5% decrease from 2019. The export peak occurred in 2018 at 14 348 thousand tonnes, which represented a 12.4% increase from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Asia's semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports were distributed across a wide range of markets. The top three destinations—Benin (7.4% of exports in kind), South Africa (4.0%), and Côte d'Ivoire (3.6%)—collectively accounted for 14.9% of total exports. The remaining 85.1% was spread among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports from Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, export value dropped sharply by 14.5%, followed by a further decrease in 2020 to 8 830 million US dollars, down 6.0% year-over-year. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 10 980 million US dollars, reflecting an 11.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key markets for Asia's semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports in value terms were Benin (5.5% of exports), the United States (4.9%), and South Africa (3.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 13.7% of total export value, indicating a diversified export structure with no single dominant buyer.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Asia's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice reached their lowest point in 2019 at 6 559 thousand tonnes, a substantial 35.9% decrease from the previous year. In 2020, imports rebounded to 7 935 thousand tonnes, up 21.0% compared to 2019. The import peak was in 2018 at 10 234 thousand tonnes, which marked a 32.3% increase from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 2.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States (4.3% of imports in kind), Uruguay (0.7%), and Australia (0.7%) were the leading sources for Asia's semi-milled or wholly milled rice imports. These three countries together represented 5.7% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, import value fell by 10.5%, followed by a further decrease in 2020 to 9 637 million US dollars, down 5.1% year-over-year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 11 352 million US dollars, representing a 16.0% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for Asia's semi-milled or wholly milled rice imports in value terms were the United States (5.5% of imports), Australia (1.0%), and Uruguay (0.6%). Collectively, these three countries accounted for 7.1% of total import value.

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

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