Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Romania fell by more than half, from 57 916 t to 23 537 t. This decline was driven by rising international rice prices due to poor weather and export restrictions in major producing countries like India, which made imports more expensive and less accessible. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted global supply chains, hampering imports and contributing to the market contraction. Domestic production also shrank consistently as cultivated area decreased amid degraded agricultural infrastructure, despite Italian investors like Riso Scotti entering the market and modernizing former state-owned rice facilities.

The market rebounded to 38 458 t in 2022, a 63% increase from 2021, fueled by a surge in imports to 55 342 t. This occurred despite international prices nearing 15-year highs, as global supply concerns from climate issues and export limits in India and Brazil likely prompted increased stockpiling. In 2023, the market volume dropped to 31 037 t as imports normalized after the prior spike, while elevated prices continued to pressure affordability. By 2024, the market volume rose again to 33 574 t, indicating a partial recovery.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Romania

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

Romania's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 11 K t, which represents a 34.6% drop from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 52.1%, averaging an annual decrease of 21.7%. The peak was in 2018, with 24 K t, and that year also saw the largest increase of 4.8%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 10 935 t, up 51.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 85.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 22.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Moldova, and Slovakia were the top buyers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Romania. Italy accounted for 42.6% of exports in kind, Moldova for 15.6%, and Slovakia for 10.5%. Together, these three countries made up 68.7% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Romania's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms have risen for the third year running. In 2020, exports amounted to 11 031 K $ US, showing a sharp increase of 30.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 75.5%, with an average annual rate of 20.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Moldova, and Slovakia were the key partners for Romania's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms. Italy held 54.2% of exports, Moldova 12.7%, and Slovakia 6.8%. Combined, they represented 73.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania imported 34 723 t of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, a modest increase of 3.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.4%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 33 508 t, while the peak was in 2018 at 39 578 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 15.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Bulgaria, Myanmar, and Spain were the leading suppliers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Romania. Bulgaria accounted for 51.3% of imports in kind, Myanmar for 16.0%, and Spain for 11.5%. Together, they comprised 78.8% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms totaled 22 706 K $ US, reflecting a modest rise of 9.5% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 735 K $ US, and the highest in 2018 at 25 660 K $ US. The largest decline was in 2019 at 19.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 13.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Spain, and Myanmar formed the main group of sources for Romania's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms. Bulgaria represented 49.3% of imports, Spain 11.8%, and Myanmar 11.6%. Collectively, they accounted for 72.7% of total import flows.

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

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