Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in France

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the French market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice expanded from 455 000 t to over 503 000 t. This growth was supported by the development of rice cultivation areas within France, particularly in the Bouches-du-Rhône and Gard regions, which bolstered domestic production. Furthermore, abundant global rice harvests during the 2017/18 season increased worldwide supplies, influencing trade flows and availability on the French market.

The market experienced volatility from 2021 to 2022, dipping to 471 000 t before surging to a peak of 527 000 t. A key driver in 2022 was a growing consumer preference for semi-whole or pre-cooked organic rice due to its nutritional and cooking qualities, which stimulated demand. This shift occurred alongside a significant rise in international rice prices in early 2022, which initially tempered market volume the previous year.

Market volume contracted to 477 000 t in 2023. This decline was primarily influenced by India's ban on exports of non-basmati white rice in July 2023, which followed an earlier restriction on broken rice exports, disrupting international supply chains. Concurrently, rice consumption across the EU fell by 2% in blanched equivalent, reducing import demand and affecting the French market.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in France

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

France's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, France produced 140 574 tonnes, marking a modest 5.9% improvement compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 128 479 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in France in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

France's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 164.5 million US dollars, representing a notable 17.1% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 12.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 120.9 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.0%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from France

Exports in kind, K t

France's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, France exported 35.4 thousand tonnes, down by 0.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 15.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (20.7% of exports in volume), Belgium (16.8%), and Italy (13.9%) were the top buyers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from France. Together, these three countries accounted for 51.4% of France's total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, France's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice increased in value. In 2020, export value reached 41.5 million US dollars, showing an uptick of 10.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports decreased by 8.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 37.7 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (21.2% of exports in value), Belgium (16.2%), and Italy (13.3%) formed the main cluster of markets for France's semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports. Together, they accounted for 50.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to France

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, France imported 398.4 thousand tonnes of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, marking a measured 8.5% year-on-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 15.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (31.1% of imports in volume), Cambodia (17.3%), and Thailand (15.4%) were the main sources of semi-milled or wholly milled rice for France. Together, these three countries accounted for 63.8% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

France's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice have increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value totalled 476.0 million US dollars, amounting to a robust 18.9% advance compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 44.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (29.5% of imports in value), Thailand (15.9%), and Cambodia (14.5%) were the principal destinations for France's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms. Jointly, they accounted for 59.9% of total import value.

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

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