Eastern Asia: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian rice market shrank modestly to $X in 2021, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the market value increased by 4%. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Rice Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, rice production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 5.4% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

China (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of rice production, accounting for 92% of total volume. Moreover, rice production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Japan (X tons), more than tenfold.

In China, rice production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (-0.6% per year) and South Korea (-0.4% per year).

The average rice yield was estimated at X tons per ha in 2021, approximately reflecting the previous year. In general, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the yield increased by 1.6%. The level of yield peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come. 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 Eastern Asia; leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the harvested area increased by 1.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to rice production attained the maximum at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Rice Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, the amount of rice exported in Eastern Asia was estimated at X tons, picking up by 4.8% on the previous year. Overall, exports saw a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 90% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, rice exports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 49% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

China dominates exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 90% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), committing a 7.2% share of total exports. Japan (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to rice exports from China stood at +26.6%. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+57.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Taiwan (Chinese) emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +57.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Japan (-5.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of China and Taiwan (Chinese) increased by +15 and +6.4 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest rice supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with an 8.7% share of total exports.

In China, rice exports expanded at an average annual rate of +15.5% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Taiwan (Chinese) (+39.8% per year) and Japan (+2.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 5.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 5.7%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+7.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Rice Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, overseas purchases of rice increased by 40% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +56.2% against 2019 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, rice imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) represented the main importer of rice, mixing up 75% of total imports. Japan (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by South Korea (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 18% share of total imports. The following importers - Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) - together made up 6% of total imports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the rice imports, with a CAGR of +8.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, South Korea (+8.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Japan and Hong Kong SAR experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Taiwan (Chinese) (-2.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+12 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Taiwan (Chinese) (-2 p.p.), Hong Kong SAR (-4 p.p.) and Japan (-6.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported rice in Eastern Asia, comprising 63% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 12% share.

In China, rice imports expanded at an average annual rate of +7.7% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+1.2% per year) and South Korea (+10.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -10.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a slight slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 20% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+1.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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