Colombia: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in Colombia

In 2021, the Colombian rice market decreased by -4.5% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, the total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +26.7% against 2018 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Rice Production in Colombia

In value terms, rice production fell modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, posted a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 161% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, the average yield of rice in Colombia stood at X tons per ha, surging by 6.4% compared with the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the yield increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the average rice yield attained the maximum level in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the harvested area of rice in Colombia dropped to X ha, shrinking by -8.7% compared with the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. The rice harvested area peaked at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Rice Exports

Exports from Colombia

In 2021, overseas shipments of rice increased by 4.6% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 21,721%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, rice exports shrank to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 18,126% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Exports by Country

Venezuela (X tons), Free Zones (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) were the main destinations of rice exports from Colombia, together comprising 93% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Ecuador (with a CAGR of +73.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Venezuela ($X), Free Zones ($X) and Cuba ($X) were the largest markets for rice exported from Colombia worldwide, together accounting for 93% of total exports.

Free Zones, with a CAGR of +55.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average rice export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, waning by -10.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a mild expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the average export price increased by 132%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Free Zones ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Ecuador ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Free Zones (+7.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Rice Imports

Imports into Colombia

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of rice, when their volume decreased by -37.9% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a moderate increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 220%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, rice imports dropped significantly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 112% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest rice supplier to Colombia, with a 87% share of total imports. Moreover, rice imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Peru (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the United States stood at +6.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Peru (+3.7% per year) and Ecuador (-7.6% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of rice to Colombia, comprising 81% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Peru ($X), with a 12% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from the United States stood at -1.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Peru (+1.1% per year) and Ecuador (-13.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average rice import price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -16.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Peru ($X per ton), while the price for the United States ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uruguay (+13.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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