Latin America and the Caribbean: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American rice market fell slightly to $X in 2021, leveling off at the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Rice Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, rice production reduced slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 22%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Brazil (X tons) remains the largest rice producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 40% of total volume. Moreover, 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 an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, 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 (+1.5% per year) and Colombia (+4.1% per year).

In 2021, the average rice yield in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at X tons per ha, with an increase of 4.4% on 2020. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the yield increased by 7.4%. Over the period under review, the rice yield attained the peak level in 2021 and is likely to see gradual 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 total area harvested in terms of rice production in Latin America and the Caribbean shrank to X ha, approximately mirroring the year before. In general, the harvested area showed a mild contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 2.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to rice production attained the maximum at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Rice Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Rice exports shrank notably to X tons in 2021, reducing by -29.5% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports showed a slight shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 32%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

In value terms, rice exports contracted markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Brazil (X tons), Uruguay (X tons) and Paraguay (X tons) represented roughly 73% of total exports in 2021. Guyana (X tons) held a 14% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Argentina (9.6%). Suriname (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Paraguay (with a CAGR of +10.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest rice supplying countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were Uruguay ($X), Brazil ($X) and Paraguay ($X), with a combined 70% share of total exports.

Paraguay, with a CAGR of +9.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, surging by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a mild shrinkage. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Argentina ($X per ton) and Uruguay ($X per ton), while Paraguay ($X per ton) and Brazil ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Rice Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, the amount of rice imported in Latin America and the Caribbean declined rapidly to X tons, with a decrease of -15.4% against the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 33%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then shrank notably in the following year.

In value terms, rice imports shrank to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 39% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then dropped in the following year.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of rice imports in 2021 were Mexico (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons), together recording 52% of total import. Haiti (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Peru (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 15% share of total imports. Costa Rica (X tons), Chile (X tons), Colombia (X tons), Honduras (X tons), Nicaragua (X tons), Cuba (X tons), Guatemala (X tons) and El Salvador (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Costa Rica (with a CAGR of +7.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest rice importing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean were Mexico ($X), Brazil ($X) and Venezuela ($X), together accounting for 47% of total imports. These countries were followed by Haiti, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador, which together accounted for a further 45%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Costa Rica, with a CAGR of +5.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2021, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 6.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nicaragua (+1.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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