Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

The Bolivian market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice expanded significantly between 2018 and 2023, rising from 355.0 thousand tons to 464.6 thousand tons. This growth was interrupted by a sharp contraction in 2020, when market volume fell to 319.9 thousand tons, but was followed by three consecutive years of robust recovery.

After a modest increase to 360.7 thousand tons in 2019, the market dropped by over 40 thousand tons in 2020. From 2021 onward, production increases drove consistent market growth, with volumes reaching 342.7 thousand tons in 2021, 406.5 thousand tons in 2022, and 464.6 thousand tons in 2023. Imports steadily declined throughout the period, from 25.6 thousand tons in 2018 to just 1.5 thousand tons in 2023, indicating a growing reliance on domestic output.

In 2024, the government faced an extreme drought, described as the most intense in 25 years, which reduced national rice production. To guarantee supply and curb price speculation, authorities eliminated import tariffs for three months and allocated funds to import approximately 60 thousand tons from Asia and Central America. The state-owned food company EMAPA intervened by selling rice at fixed prices to counter market volatility, while new controls were planned for 2025 to track domestic movement of rice and prevent smuggling.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Bolivia

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

Bolivia's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 304.5 thousand tons, representing an 11.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 343.1 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 10.9%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Bolivia

According to desk-based research findings, Bolivia did not export any semi-milled or wholly milled rice between 2017 and 2020.

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

Bolivia's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 15 421 tons, marking a 12.5% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 31.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 11.8%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 25 584 tons. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2019 at 31.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina was consistently the primary source for Bolivia's imports in kind, accounting for 72.0% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Bolivia's import value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the import value stood at 7 642 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest decrease of 6.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 34.7%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 13.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 11 817 thousand US dollars. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019 at 30.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1.0%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Argentina dominated Bolivia's import structure in value terms, accounting for 74.1% of total flows. Other destinations contributed relatively small shares.

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

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