Market research

Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Southern Asia

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Southern Asia" region includes following countries:

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

Sri Lanka

India

Iran

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Southern Asia held steady near 151 million tonnes between 2018 and 2019, underpinned by near-record milled rice output and sustained milling capacity utilization. A significant expansion to 160.5 million tonnes occurred in 2020, fueled by the widespread adoption of advanced milling technology like new parboiling systems and color sorters, alongside the introduction of climate-resilient and bio-fortified rice varieties that bolstered production efficiency and yield stability.

Further growth brought the market to 171.3 million tonnes by 2023. This trajectory was shaped directly by India's export policy interventions, including a 20% duty imposed in September 2022 and subsequent bans on specific rice categories to curb domestic price inflation and secure local food supplies. The government's decision to relax some export restrictions in late 2023, prompted by overflowing storage in major producing states, subsequently supported market volume by adjusting the balance between domestic availability and export flows.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Southern Asia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in kind, 2018-2023, M t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, M t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, M t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Southern Asia's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice has grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, the region produced 162.9 million tonnes, marking a modest 5.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.2%	0.2%	5.6%	3.3%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice output in Southern Asia reached 93 088 million US dollars, up 16.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 26.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%. The only decline during this time occurred in 2019, when production value fell by 2.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.4%	(2.3%)	16.4%	8.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Southern Asia's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice declined in 2020. Export volumes dropped to 2 727 thousand tonnes, representing a significant 21.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 10.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.7%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 465 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 8.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.7%	4.4%	(21.3%)	(3.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Asia's semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports were distributed across numerous markets. Kenya accounted for 13.9% of export volumes, China for 11.8%, and the United Arab Emirates for 6.7%. Together, these three countries represented just 32.4% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified export market.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports from Southern Asia declined in 2020. Export value fell to 1 559 million US dollars, down 13.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 2.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 1 797 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 16.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.2%	1.8%	(13.3%)	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017-2020 period, no single market dominated Southern Asia's semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports in value terms. Kenya accounted for 11.0% of export value, the United Arab Emirates for 10.1%, and China for 9.5%. Combined, these three markets represented only 30.7% of total export value, with numerous smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Southern Asia's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice increased in 2020. Import volumes rose to 386 thousand tonnes, up 9.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 63.3%, with an average annual decline of 28.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 353 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decrease of 65.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.6%)	(65.5%)	9.3%	(28.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand contributed 4.2% of Southern Asia's semi-milled or wholly milled rice import volumes, Myanmar accounted for 2.6%, and the United Arab Emirates represented 2.0%. Together, these three countries made up 8.8% of total import flows, highlighting the region's reliance on multiple suppliers.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Asia's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. Import value dropped to 1 346 million US dollars, representing a sharp 31.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 48.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 19.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.3%)	(23.3%)	(31.2%)	(19.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates accounted for 3.0% of Southern Asia's semi-milled or wholly milled rice import value, Thailand represented 2.9%, and Myanmar contributed 1.3%. Together, these three markets represented 7.2% of total import flows, demonstrating a fragmented import structure with no dominant supplier.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io