Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Latin America and the Caribbean experienced a notable contraction in 2019, falling to 16 656 thousand tonnes from 18 550 thousand tonnes the previous year. It then entered a recovery phase, climbing to 17 070 thousand tonnes in 2020 and reaching 18 197 thousand tonnes by 2021. This rebound was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which sparked a surge in demand for rice as a staple food across the region. Subsequent growth was supported by increased investments in production technology, particularly from large millers in Mexico adopting new financing and processing methods to boost output.

After a slight dip to 17 817 thousand tonnes in 2022, partly attributed to adverse climatic conditions affecting key producer Brazil, the market volume resumed its upward trajectory, reaching 18 168 thousand tonnes in 2023. This later growth phase was fueled by rising consumer incomes and a shift toward more health-conscious consumption patterns, including greater demand for whole-grain rice varieties. Furthermore, significant industrial expansion, such as government-backed investments in new rice processing plants in Colombia, contributed to enhanced regional production capacity.

Throughout the period, Brazil maintained its role as the regional production leader, though its output faced variability due to weather events and crop substitution trends. The market structure also evolved with the entry of new product lines in Mexico and ongoing technological upgrades, which helped stabilize supply and meet the changing consumer preferences that characterized the post-pandemic years.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Latin America and the Caribbean

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 a two-year decline, production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Latin America and the Caribbean has rebounded. In 2020, the region produced 17 630 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate 4.9% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 6.4%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 16 804 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 8.4% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Latin America and the Caribbean have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 1 828 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp 41.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 63.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 844 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 24.7%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 52.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

An analysis of export volumes from 2017 to 2020 reveals a highly diversified market distribution. Key partners like Iraq, Portugal, and the United States accounted for 8.6%, 2.9%, and 2.3% of exports, respectively, totaling just 13.7% of all flows. The remaining 86.3% was spread across numerous other markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Export revenues from semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Latin America and the Caribbean have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 265 million US dollars, representing an abrupt 44.1% gain over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export values increased by 64.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the value-based export structure remained highly diversified. Iraq, Turkey, and the United States contributed 8.4%, 2.8%, and 2.7% of export values, respectively, combining for only 13.9% of total flows. The vast majority, 86.1%, came from a long tail of smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice into Latin America and the Caribbean have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 1 268 thousand tonnes, indicating an 11.0% advance from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 25.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 9.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 051 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 38.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, import volumes were spread across a wide range of partner countries. The United States, Thailand, and India accounted for 29.1%, 1.4%, and 1.0% of imports, respectively, jointly making up just 31.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Import expenditures on semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Latin America and the Caribbean have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 265 million US dollars, equivalent to a 35.1% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values increased by 24.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 013 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, import values were allocated across a large number of markets. The United States, Thailand, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) accounted for 30.3%, 1.4%, and 1.2% of import values, respectively, together representing only 32.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020