Europe: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in Europe

In 2021, the Europe rice market increased by 2.1% to $X, rising for the fifth year in a row after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 9.4% against the previous year. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Rice Production in Europe

In value terms, rice production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Italy (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Spain (X tons), together comprising 74% of total production. Greece, the UK, Portugal and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the UK (with a CAGR of +3.7%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2021, the average yield of rice in Europe reduced slightly to X tons per ha, declining by -1.7% compared with 2020. In general, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 3.8% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 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, the harvested area of rice in Europe reduced modestly to X ha, waning by -4.7% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a slight decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 2.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to rice production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Rice Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, the amount of rice exported in Europe declined to X tons, with a decrease of -7.3% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 16%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, rice exports reached $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Italy (X tons), distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons), Greece (X tons) and Russia (X tons) were the key exporters of rice, together mixing up 81% of total exports. Portugal (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Portugal (with a CAGR of +18.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($X), Belgium ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 65% of total exports. These countries were followed by Spain, Greece, Portugal and Russia, which together accounted for a further 18%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Portugal, with a CAGR of +19.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 Europe amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the export price increased by 12%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Greece ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+2.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Rice Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of rice, when their volume decreased by -7.2% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, rice imports shrank slightly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 17%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of rice, namely the UK, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Russia, Portugal, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, represented more than two-thirds of total import.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +10.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the UK ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 41% share of total imports. Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Poland, Switzerland, Russia, Portugal and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 44%.

Italy, with a CAGR of +8.8%, recorded 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 Europe amounted to $X per ton, growing by 7.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked 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 importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Switzerland (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform