Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Eastern Europe grew from 1 108 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 152.8 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion was primarily driven by increased domestic production in Russia, where the gross rice harvest rose by 5.2% in 2018 and by another 5.8% in 2019 due to the expansion of sown areas and rising yields. State intervention through subsidies and intervention purchases provided further market stability. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to global supply chains, affecting prices and availability, yet the market volume continued its upward trend.

A sharp contraction to 1 034.4 thousand tons occurred in 2021, fueled by the continued reduction of sown areas for rice in Russia and rising global prices. These price increases were triggered by climatic challenges and new export restrictions in major producing countries, which tightened world supply. The market volume saw a modest recovery to 1 043.7 thousand tons in 2022, despite a severe drop in Russian production to 551.8 thousand tons. This collapse was caused by an accident at the Fedorovsky hydroelectric complex in Krasnodar Krai, which led to critical irrigation water shortages for rice farms. To manage domestic supply, Russia imposed restrictions on rice exports that year.

A stronger recovery followed in 2023, with the market reaching 1 099.1 thousand tons. Domestic production rebounded as infrastructure issues were addressed, and the global market stabilized. Key factors included the recovery of world production after the previous year's drought and India's decision to lift its export restrictions, which eased international supply conditions and supported regional market growth.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

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

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) saw its production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice grow for the second year in a row. In 2018, output hit its lowest point at 682.7 thousand tons, declining by 5.0% that year. By 2020, production had rebounded to 712.5 thousand tons, marking a 3.8% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) dipped in 2020. Output was valued at 612.4 million US dollars, down 4.4% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value rose by 12.4%, averaging 4.0% annually. The peak came in 2019 at 640.8 million US dollars, with a notable 10.1% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) continued to rise for the second consecutive year. In 2018, volumes fell to their lowest at 149.5 thousand tons, dropping by 14.5%. By 2020, exports had climbed to 164.6 thousand tons, up 7.8% from the prior year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.8%, or an average of 2.0% per year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, key buyers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) included Turkey (10.1% of exports in volume), Mongolia (5.8%), and Azerbaijan (5.6%). Together, these three markets accounted for just 21.5% of total exports, with the remaining 78.5% spread across numerous other partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported semi-milled or wholly milled rice worth 141.5 million US dollars, a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 127.5 million US dollars, with a 3.8% decline that year, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 142.5 million US dollars, surging by 11.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 6.7%, averaging 2.2% annually.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached a diverse range of markets. Turkey (7.9% of exports by value), Sweden (5.5%), and Germany (5.2%) collectively made up only 18.6% of total export value, with the remaining 81.4% coming from many smaller destinations.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 604.9 thousand tons, a modest increase of 1.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, import volumes rose by 7.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were fairly evenly distributed. India (19.1% of imports by volume), Myanmar (13.6%), and Italy (11.7%) together represented only 44.4% of total imports, with the rest coming from various other sources.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 373.1 million US dollars, up 6.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 21.6%, averaging 6.7% per year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the sources of imports by value were widely dispersed. India (16.0% of imports by value), Italy (14.5%), and Myanmar (10.7%) combined for just 41.2% of total imports, while the remaining 58.8% came from a broad array of other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020