Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the market volume for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Southern Europe expanded consistently, rising from 1,186 thousand tons to 1,762 thousand tons. This growth was initially supported by regulatory measures in Italy, where the modification of Legislative Decree no. 131/2017 imposed stricter limits on seed usage, helping to stabilize and encourage domestic production.

Despite facing increasing production costs and pest control challenges in Portugal from 2021 onward, the market continued to grow until 2022. However, in 2023, a sharp rise in input prices—particularly for fertilizers, energy, and fuels—severely impacted profitability, leading to a dramatic drop in production and a market volume decline to 776 thousand tons.

During this period, Spain introduced Royal Decree 1048/2022, which established support criteria for sustainable rice production from 2023, aiming to maintain cultivated areas and economic viability. Additionally, revisions to the Common Agricultural Policy in Portugal in 2024, including adjustments to packaging marking rules and direct payments, were implemented to secure stable supply and prevent abandonment of rice farming.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Southern Europe

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

Semi-milled or wholly milled rice production in Southern Europe has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Southern Europe produced 2 078 K t of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, marking an 11.4% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 12%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 808 K t, with the largest decline of 2.6% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Europe's semi-milled or wholly milled rice production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 940 M $ US, showing a robust advance of 16.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 32.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.8%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports from Southern Europe have increased. In 2020, exports reached 902.4 K t, representing a 7.1% year-over-year growth. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 2.3%, with an annualized rate of 0.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 842.6 K t, while the largest decline of 3.6% occurred in 2018.

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

The structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of trading partners. France accounted for 15.7% of exports in kind, Germany for 14.1%, and the United Kingdom for 13.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 42.9% of total flows, with the remaining 57.1% distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign semi-milled or wholly milled rice supplies from Southern Europe have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 842.7 M $ US, showing a strong year-over-year increase of 12.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 20.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Southern Europe. France accounted for 18.3% of exports in value terms, Germany for 15.4%, and the United Kingdom for 11.4%. Their combined share reached only 45.1% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's volume of semi-milled or wholly milled rice imports has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Southern Europe imported 254.0 K t of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, marking a moderate advance of 7.0% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 29.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of imports in kind remained scattered. Thailand accounted for 15.3% of imports in kind, Myanmar for 14.9%, and Cambodia for 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented just 41.0% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice imports into Southern Europe reached 230.9 M $ US, equivalent to an 11.9% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 32.2%, with an annualized rate of 9.8%. The largest decline of 5.3% was recorded in 2019, while the largest increase of 24.8% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Pakistan, and Cambodia served as notable but not dominant suppliers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Southern Europe. Thailand accounted for 15.0% of imports in value terms, Pakistan for 11.0%, and Cambodia for 9.3%. Their combined share reached only 35.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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