Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Laos

Earlier Report Observations

The market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Laos expanded from 1 679 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 771 thousand tons in 2019, supported by government policies encouraging foreign direct investment into agriculture, which accounted for 40% of FDI inflows. In 2020, despite unfavorable weather conditions and the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, production increased to 1 783 thousand tons, reflecting resilience and recovery efforts. However, the market volume dipped to 1 762 thousand tons in 2021.

A strong rebound followed in 2022, with market size reaching 1 904 thousand tons, and growth continued to 1 978 thousand tons in 2023 as the economy recovered from the pandemic with GDP growth estimated at 3.7%, underpinned by agricultural support. In 2024, key developments aimed at strengthening the rice sector included an increase in cultivated area and productivity, alongside the opening of Bokeo International Airport adjacent to the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone to facilitate agricultural exports.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Laos

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Laos was one of the world's top producers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, ranking 20th globally by production volume.

Top producers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

Laos saw its production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice grow for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 783 thousand tons, marking a modest 2.4% increase from 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 5.8%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 679 thousand tons, when output dropped by 11.3%. This was followed by a recovery in 2019, with production rising by 3.7%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Laos

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Laos continued to expand, rising for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes reached 100.7 thousand tons, representing a dramatic surge of 272.1% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by an impressive 349.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 65.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Vietnam were the primary destinations for Laos's rice exports, together accounting for 82.3% of total export volumes. China alone made up 53.1% of the flows, while Vietnam contributed 29.2%, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Laos displayed considerable volatility during this period. In 2020, export value totaled 48 565 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 183.9% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 17 103 thousand US dollars, which represented a 22.7% decline from the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 2.8 times.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China, Vietnam, and Belgium were the key partners in terms of export value. China accounted for 43.6% of exports, Vietnam for 36.0%, and Belgium for 11.6%, together making up 91.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Laos

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of semi-milled or wholly milled rice into Laos were highly volatile over the observed years. In 2020, imports amounted to 113.9 thousand tons, a sharp increase of 100.6% compared to 2019. The lowest import level was in 2018 at 23.9 thousand tons, which marked a 54.9% drop from the previous year. This was followed by a significant rebound in 2019, with imports jumping by 137.3%. The gap between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was 4.8 times.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand and Vietnam dominated as suppliers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Laos, together representing 97.5% of total import volumes. Other partners played a minor role in the import market.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms also showed volatile behavior during these years. In 2020, Laos imported 32 565 thousand US dollars worth of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, a sharp gain of 97.2% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 16 516 thousand US dollars, following a 41.4% decline in 2018. Imports peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2019, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand was the dominant supplier in value terms, accounting for 71.7% of total import flows. The remaining share was distributed among a variety of other markets.

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

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