Latin America and the Caribbean: Paddy Rice Market 2025

Paddy Rice Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American paddy rice market expanded to $X in 2022, rising by 2.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Paddy Rice Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, paddy rice production expanded notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a pronounced slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 35%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Brazil (X tons) remains the largest paddy rice producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 40% of total volume. Moreover, paddy rice production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Peru (X tons), threefold. Colombia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Brazil was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Peru (+1.3% per year) and Colombia (+3.8% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of paddy rice in Latin America and the Caribbean reduced to X tons per ha, waning by -2.1% against the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 7.4% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2021, and then contracted in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The paddy rice harvested area stood at X ha in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, recorded a mild reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 2.8% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Paddy Rice Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Paddy rice exports skyrocketed to X tons in 2022, with an increase of 181% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 257% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, paddy rice exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded prominent growth. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Brazil was the largest exporting country with an export of about X tons, which finished at 67% of total exports. Uruguay (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 21% share, followed by Paraguay (9.4%).

Brazil was also the fastest-growing in terms of the paddy rice exports, with a CAGR of +21.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Paraguay (+12.8%) and Uruguay (+12.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of Brazil (+28 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Paraguay (-2.2 p.p.) and Uruguay (-6.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest paddy rice supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Uruguay ($X), with a 20% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Brazil stood at +21.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Uruguay (+9.2% per year) and Paraguay (+12.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Paraguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (-0.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Paddy Rice Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, approx. X tons of paddy rice were imported in Latin America and the Caribbean; reducing by -15.1% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 58% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paddy rice imports shrank to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 93%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Mexico (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons) represented the main importers of paddy rice in Latin America and the Caribbean, together generating 45% of total imports. Costa Rica (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 9.7% share, followed by Colombia (9.6%), Honduras (8.7%), Guatemala (8.5%), Nicaragua (5.8%) and El Salvador (5.6%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Colombia (with a CAGR of +22.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($X), Venezuela ($X) and Guatemala ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 53% share of total imports. Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Colombia, with a CAGR of +18.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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 Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 5.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nicaragua ($X per ton), while Venezuela ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nicaragua (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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