Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Honduras

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Honduras fluctuated, starting at 157.5 thousand tons in 2018, dropping to 141.7 thousand tons in 2019, then recovering to 147.1 thousand tons in 2020. This volatility was underpinned by persistent structural challenges in domestic rice production, which constrained supply and kept the market reliant on imports.

From 2021 to 2023, the government introduced the Bono Tecnológico Productivo (BTP) to support small producers, aiming to boost national output. However, market volume fell to 134.5 thousand tons in 2021 due to ongoing structural limits, and despite a temporary rise to 147.8 thousand tons in 2022, volume dropped again to 132.5 thousand tons in 2023. This was exacerbated by pricing disputes and a lack of purchase commitments from agro-industry, which discouraged producers. Additionally, in 2023, the SAG DICTA program strengthened seed production with climate-adapted varieties, targeting long-term productivity gains.

In 2024, imports continued to decline to 5.8 thousand tons, while exports surged to 6.5 thousand tons. The government promoted national production revival through the Instituto Hondureño de Mercadeo Agrícola (IHMA), securing purchases of 50,000 quintals of rice. New front-of-pack labeling regulations and sanitary controls for food and beverages came into effect, setting updated requirements for products like fortified rice.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Honduras

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

In 2020, Honduras produced 136.4 thousand tons of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, representing a 5.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 146.4 thousand tons. In 2019, production experienced its largest decline of 11.8%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 with a 25.0% rise.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Honduras

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Honduras exported 27 tons of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, showing virtually no change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 76.2%, resulting in an annualized decline rate of 38.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua was the dominant destination for Honduras's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, accounting for 99.9% of the total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports from Honduras was 16 thousand US dollars, with minimal change compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 57.4%, equating to an annualized decrease of 24.8%.

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

During 2017–2020, the export structure in value terms was highly concentrated, with Nicaragua alone representing 99.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Honduras

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Honduras's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice declined. In 2020, imports totaled 10 748 tons, reflecting a substantial decrease of 14.5% from the prior year. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 566 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 13.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (51.8% of import volume), Asia, not elsewhere specified (12.3% of import volume), and China (7.7% of import volume) were the key sources for Honduras's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, together accounting for 71.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year upward trend, Honduras's import value for semi-milled or wholly milled rice declined. In 2020, import value stood at 9 378 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate decrease of 3.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 39.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.6%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 9 749 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 38.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (45.7% of import value), Asia, not elsewhere specified (18.6% of import value), and China (12.7% of import value) were the main suppliers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Honduras, collectively comprising 77.0% of total import value.

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

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