Eastern Europe: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in Eastern Europe

After four years of growth, the East European rice market decreased by -5.1% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Rice Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, rice production declined slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 9.3% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of rice production was Russia (X tons), comprising approx. 84% of total volume. Moreover, rice production in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Poland (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Bulgaria (X tons), with a 4.5% share.

In Russia, rice production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Poland (+2.2% per year) and Bulgaria (+0.6% per year).

In 2021, the average rice yield in Eastern Europe contracted modestly to X tons per ha, with a decrease of -1.9% on 2020 figures. Over the period under review, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 7.8%. Over the period under review, the rice yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure. 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 Europe; which is down by -5.2% compared with 2020. In general, the harvested area showed a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 3.8% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Rice Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, overseas shipments of rice decreased by -10.4% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports continue to indicate a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 18%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, rice exports amounted to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 19%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Russia (X tons), distantly followed by Bulgaria (X tons), Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Romania (X tons) were the main exporters of rice, together mixing up 91% of total exports. The following exporters - Ukraine (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons) - each recorded a 5.6% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +9.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest rice supplying countries in Eastern Europe were Russia ($X), Bulgaria ($X) and Poland ($X), with a combined 69% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +11.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 20%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Rice Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

After four years of growth, supplies from abroad of rice decreased by -13.4% to X tons in 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, rice imports amounted to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Poland (X tons) and Russia (X tons) were the key importers of rice in Eastern Europe, together generating 48% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the Czech Republic (X tons), Ukraine (X tons), Romania (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons), together generating a 36% share of total imports. Hungary (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +13.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($X), Russia ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 61% of total imports.

Poland, with a CAGR of +8.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of 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

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 16% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hungary (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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