Central Asia: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in Central Asia

The Central Asian rice market totaled $X in 2021, surging by 6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Rice Production in Central Asia

In value terms, rice production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 97% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Kazakhstan (X tons), Uzbekistan (X tons) and Turkmenistan (X tons), with a combined 89% share of total production. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 11%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Kyrgyzstan (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average rice yield reduced slightly to X tons per ha in 2021, which is down by -2.3% compared with 2020. Overall, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the yield increased by 7.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the rice yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, approx. X ha of rice were harvested in Central Asia; which is down by -2% compared with the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to rice production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Rice Exports

Exports in Central Asia

In 2021, shipments abroad of rice increased by 7.7% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 66% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, rice exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 63% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Kazakhstan (X tons) represented the main exporter of rice in Central Asia, achieving 98% of total export.

Kazakhstan was also the fastest-growing in terms of the rice exports, with a CAGR of +9.9% from 2012 to 2021. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Kazakhstan ($X) also remains the largest rice supplier in Central Asia.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Kazakhstan totaled +12.1%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Central Asia amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 41% against the previous year. Export price indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, rice export price increased by +55.2% against 2017 indices. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for Kazakhstan.

From 2012 to 2021, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Kazakhstan amounted to +2.0% per year.

Rice Imports

Imports in Central Asia

In 2021, approx. X tons of rice were imported in Central Asia; increasing by 2.3% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 94%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, rice imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 104%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Kazakhstan (X tons) and Mongolia (X tons) represented roughly 61% of total imports in 2021. Tajikistan (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with an 18% share, followed by Uzbekistan (17%) and Kyrgyzstan (4.7%).

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +30.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest rice importing markets in Central Asia were Kazakhstan ($X), Mongolia ($X) and Tajikistan ($X), with a combined 86% share of total imports. Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +37.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Central Asia amounted to $X per ton, surging by 8.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 8.9% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Kazakhstan ($X per ton), while Uzbekistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uzbekistan (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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