Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in South-eastern Asia contracted from 98.1 million tonnes in 2018 to 93.0 million tonnes in 2019, as production constraints including limited fertilizer availability and seed quality issues hampered yields. Market concentration, with state-owned enterprises and joint ventures controlling a large share of milling, limited competitive dynamics. In 2020, supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic threatened availability, but active government interventions to stabilize prices and ensure food security helped the market volume recover slightly to 94.7 million tonnes.

Focused government policies on production optimization and farmer support contributed to market growth, reaching 97.7 million tonnes in 2021. However, in 2022, significant price volatility driven by global commodity inflation raised production costs, leading to a reduction in volume to 93.5 million tonnes. The following year, severe El Niño weather conditions caused drought and heat stress, lowering yields across the region. Counteracting this, state procurement measures and direct price support mechanisms stabilized the domestic market, resulting in a steady volume of 93.4 million tonnes in 2023.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M 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, South-eastern Asia produced 101.5 million tonnes of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, showing little change from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 3.4%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 101.0 million tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 106.6 million tonnes. The most significant drop in production happened in 2019, falling by 5.2%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2018, rising by 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M t

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Following two consecutive years of decline, South-eastern Asia's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice rebounded in 2020. That year, exports reached 9 222 thousand tonnes, marking a 2.1% increase compared to 2019. However, over the broader 2017-2020 period, exports fell substantially by 35.3%, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of -13.5%. The export volume hit its lowest point in 2019 at 9 029 thousand tonnes, with the steepest decline occurring in 2018 when exports dropped by 25.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Benin, and South Africa were the top buyers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from South-eastern Asia, accounting for 11.6%, 9.6%, and 5.7% of exports in kind respectively. Despite their prominence, these three countries together represented just 26.8% of total exports, indicating a highly diversified market with many other destinations playing significant roles.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

South-eastern Asia's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms declined for the second year in a row in 2020. The region exported 6 308 million US dollars worth of rice that year, down 1.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, export value decreased by 14.4%, corresponding to a compound annual decline of 5.1%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 8 000 million US dollars. The most substantial drop occurred in 2019 with a 19.8% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 when export value rose by 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South-eastern Asia's rice exports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of markets. China was the largest buyer with 13.0% of export value, followed by Benin at 6.9% and the United States at 5.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 25.9% of total export value, demonstrating that many other countries held smaller but meaningful shares in this diversified trade structure.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in South-eastern Asia showed considerable volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 009 thousand tonnes before surging to a peak of 2 474 thousand tonnes in 2020, representing a dramatic 145.2% increase year-over-year. The difference between these high and low points was substantial, with 2020 imports being 2.5 times higher than in 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 when imports fell by 54.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Pakistan, and China were the leading sources of semi-milled or wholly milled rice imports into South-eastern Asia in volume terms. India accounted for 8.0% of imports, Pakistan for 5.5%, and China for 0.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 14.3% of total import flows, indicating that imports were sourced from a broad range of suppliers.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

South-eastern Asia's rice import market in value terms exhibited notable volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest import value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 2 315 million US dollars - a difference of 2.3 times between these extremes. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 812 million US dollars, showing a moderate decrease of 4.3% compared to 2019. The most substantial decline happened in 2019 with an 18.2% drop, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 when import value surged by 134.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Pakistan, and China dominated South-eastern Asia's rice imports in value terms. India led with 9.1% of import value, followed by Pakistan at 5.1% and China at 0.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 15.1% of total import flows, reflecting a import structure where many other suppliers contributed smaller but significant portions.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020