Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Central America fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 2 014 thousand tons in 2018. After a dip to 1 925 thousand tons in 2019, consumption jumped sharply to 2 227 thousand tons in 2020 before moderating to 2 135 thousand tons the following year.

From 2022 onward, the market expanded steadily, reaching 2 247 thousand tons by 2023. This growth was supported by favorable climatic conditions in the region, which improved yields and water availability for domestic production. At the same time, the diversification of rice cultivars in major supplying countries, with a focus on semi-milled varieties, provided a more tailored supply to meet regional demand, as reflected in increased milling activity and sales in neighboring markets.

In 2024, import volumes into Central America rose significantly to 374 thousand tons. This occurred alongside industry developments such as substantial investment in new rice processing infrastructure in Colombia and global factors including the El Niño weather phenomenon and export restrictions from India, which influenced international supply chains and prices.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Central America

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

After two consecutive years of decline, production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Central America rebounded. In 2020, output reached 2 048 thousand tonnes, marking a 17.0% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 750 thousand tonnes, while the largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018 at 1.3%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Central America showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2.5 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 5.2-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, export volume totaled 9.3 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial 38.9% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 80.8%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 171.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Venezuela was the leading buyer of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Central America, accounting for 29.4% of exports in kind. The United States followed with 23.2%, and Colombia with 10.0%. Together, these three countries represented 62.6% of Central America's total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values for semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Central America exhibited considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3.2 million US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2017, creating a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, export value reached 8.5 million US dollars, showing an 11.3% increase compared to 2019. The most significant decline happened in 2018 at 71.7%, while the largest increase was observed in 2019 at 138.2%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Venezuela was the top destination for Central America's semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports in value terms, representing 34.4% of the total. The United States accounted for 26.7%, and Colombia for 11.3%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 72.4% of Central America's total export value in this category.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, Central America's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice increased in 2020. Import volume reached 188.9 thousand tonnes that year, representing a 4.0% increase from 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, however, imports decreased by 32.1%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 12.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 181.6 thousand tonnes, while the largest year-on-year decline occurred that same year at 29.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the primary supplier of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Central America, accounting for 37.6% of imports in kind. Uruguay followed with 22.7%, and Guyana with 10.8%. Together, these three suppliers represented 71.2% of Central America's total imports in kind during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Central America's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms reached 155.8 million US dollars, representing a 27.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, import value decreased by 19.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 122.4 million US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 195.2 million US dollars. The most significant decline took place in 2019 at 37.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading supplier of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Central America in value terms, accounting for 41.8% of imports. Uruguay followed with 23.6%, and Argentina with 9.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.9% of Central America's total import value in this category during this period.

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

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