MERCOSUR: Paddy Rice Market 2025

Paddy Rice Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR paddy rice market declined to $X in 2021, shrinking by -6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Paddy Rice Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, paddy rice production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 32%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Brazil (X tons) remains the largest paddy rice producing country in MERCOSUR, accounting for 45% 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 14% share.

In Brazil, paddy rice production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Peru (+1.0% per year) and Colombia (+3.7% per year).

The average paddy rice yield declined slightly to X tons per ha in 2021, which is down by -2.4% compared with 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% 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 2015 with an increase of 7.1%. Over the period under review, the paddy rice yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2020, and then dropped slightly 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.

In 2021, approx. X ha of paddy rice were harvested in MERCOSUR; approximately equating the year before. In general, the harvested area continues to indicate a mild downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 3.7% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Paddy Rice Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the amount of paddy rice exported in MERCOSUR shrank markedly to X tons, dropping by -51.5% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a modest expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 165%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, paddy rice exports reduced sharply to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a slight downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 107% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Brazil was the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which resulted at 45% of total exports. Uruguay (X tons) took a 25% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Paraguay (13%), Guyana (8.9%) and Argentina (6.1%). 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 key exporting countries, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +6.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Uruguay ($X) and Paraguay ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 82% of total exports.

Brazil, with a CAGR of +5.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 16% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Suriname ($X per ton), while Paraguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Paraguay (-0.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Paddy Rice Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, approx. X tons of paddy rice were imported in MERCOSUR; waning by -14.4% compared with the previous year. Total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% 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 decreased by -20.7% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 94%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paddy rice imports declined to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% 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 +69.7% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 81% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Venezuela was the major importer of paddy rice in MERCOSUR, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was approx. 62% of total imports in 2021. Colombia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 22% share, followed by Brazil (15%).

Venezuela experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of paddy rice. At the same time, Colombia (+22.5%) and Brazil (+5.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Colombia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +22.5% from 2012-2021. While the share of Colombia (+18 p.p.) and Brazil (+3.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Venezuela (-20.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Venezuela ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported paddy rice in MERCOSUR, comprising 59% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Colombia ($X), with a 25% share of total imports.

In Venezuela, paddy rice imports plunged by an average annual rate of -2.3% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Colombia (+19.6% per year) and Brazil (+3.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 5.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a mild curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Colombia ($X per ton), while Venezuela ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (-1.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform