Rice Import Dependent Countries

Nigeria, Saudi Arabia & Philippines Among Biggest Rice Buyers

Apr 16, 2008 Daniel Workman

From Sri Lanka to wealthier nations like Kuwait and Canada, soaring rice prices can have the greatest impact on countries where rice imports are growing the fastest.

While five countries control more than 80% of world rice exports, the top 10 rice-importing nations account for only a third of overall global rice import statistics.

The Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations reports that overall world rice imports in 2004 were 27 million tons, up less than 1% from 2003. No one country was responsible for more than 5% of global rice imports.

The analysis below identifies top rice importing regions from around the world.

Rice Importers by Continent

1. Asia … 11.9 million tons (41% of global rice imports)
2. Africa … 7.6 million tons (26.1%)
3. Europe … 3.5 million tons (12.2%)
4. North and Central America … 2.3 million tons (8.1%)
5. South America … 1.1 million tons (3.9%).

Even though Asia farms more than 91% of the global rice harvest, Far Eastern nations import more rice than any other continent.

Top Rice Importers by Country

The 32 rice importing countries listed below are responsible for 65% of world rice imports.

1. Nigeria … 1.4 million tons (4.8% of global rice imports)
2. Saudi Arabia … 1.2 million tons (4.2%)
3. Philippines … 1 million tons (3.6%)
4. Bangladesh … 991,810 tons (3.4%)
5. Iran … 986,000 tons (3.4%)
6. China … 928,210 tons (3.2%)
7. Cote d'Ivoire … 868,320 tons (3.0%)
8. Brazil … 852,080 tons (2.9%)
9. Senegal … 822,550 tons (2.8%)
10. South Africa … 744,840 tons (2.6%)
11. United Arab Emirates … 717,710 tons (2.5%)
12. North Korea … 702,000 tons (2.4%)
13. Japan … 662,020 tons (2.3%)
14. Russia (Europe) … 618,460 tons (2.1%)
15. United Kingdom … 569,560 tons (2%)
16. Malaysia … 523,660 tons (1.8%)
17. United States … 480,750 tons (1.7%)
18. Benin … 476,490 tons (1.6%)
19. France … 474,270 tons (1.6%)
20. Mexico … 459,210 tons (1.6%)
21. Russian Federation … 454,710 tons (1.6%)
22. Indonesia … 390,830 tons (1.3%)
23. Singapore … 346,700 tons (1.2%)
24. Canada … 334,320 tons (1.2%)
25. Hong Kong … 326,230 tons (1.1%)
26. Yemen … 322,240 tons (1.1%)
27. Sri Lanka … 240,700 tons (0.8%)
28. Syria … 236,710 tons (0.8%)
29. South Korea … 209,320 tons (0.7%)
30. Kuwait … 150,620 tons (0.5%)
31. Oman … 149,830 tons (0.5%)
32. Jordan … 135,890 tons (0.5%).

Fastest-growing Rice Imports by Country

Rice deliveries to the following 10 countries rose the fastest in 2004 from the prior year.

1. Sri Lanka … 240,700 tons (up 597.3% in 2004)
2. China … 928,210 tons (up 129.4%)
3. Benin … 476,490 tons (up 124.8%)
4. Saudi Arabia … 1.2 million tons (up 78%)
5. Oman … 149,830 tons (up 64.5%)
6. Kuwait … 150,620 tons (up 54.2%)
7. South Korea … 209,320 tons (up 46%)
8. Malaysia … 523,660 tons (up 42.1%)
9. United Arab Emirates … 717,710 tons (up 28.6%)
10. Canada … 334,320 tons (up 26.3%).

Fastest-declining Rice Imports by Country

The 10 nations below decreased their milled rice imports the most in 2004.

1. Indonesia … 390,830 tons (down 76% in 2004)
2. Bangladesh … 991,810 tons (down 20.7%)
3. Brazil … 852,080 tons (down 20.1%)
4. Nigeria … 1.4 million tons (down 12.6%)
5. North Korea … 702,000 tons (down 12.5%)
6. Mexico … 459,210 tons (down 8.6%)
7. Senegal … 822,550 tons (down 7.6%)
8. Japan … 662,020 tons (down 6.2%)
9. South Africa …744,840 tons (down 5.8%)
10. Russia (Europe) … 618,460 tons (down 4.1%).

References

This article presents independent calculations and insights based on statistics published on the International Rice Research Institute’s website.

The copyright of the article Rice Import Dependent Countries in International Trade is owned by Daniel Workman. Permission to republish Rice Import Dependent Countries in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Rice is a food staple particularly in Asia