Rice Exports Drop 20% in November and 26% Year-to-Date

Brazil exported 111.8 thousand tons of Rice (in husk) in November, generating revenue of $51.3 million, according to the Brazilian Rice Industry Association (Abiarroz), based on data from the Foreign Trade Secretariat. The volume represented a 20% decrease compared to the same period in 2023, while revenue fell by 9.4%.

Imports

In November, Brazil imported 75.7 thousand tons of Rice (in husk), a 22.5% drop in volume compared to the previous year. Expenditures totaled $34.9 million, an 18.1% decrease from November 2023.

Processed Rice

Of the total Rice exported in November, 80.9 thousand tons were processed Rice, generating revenue of $36.7 million. While the volume fell 12.4% compared to last year’s period, revenue rose by 2.2%.

In November, the top destinations for processed rice exports were Gambia, Mexico, Peru, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, Uruguay, Cuba, Israel, and Bolivia. In terms of value, Mexico stood out, importing approximately 16 thousand tons at $12 million.

Mexican Rice, a joint export initiative by Abiarroz and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), has identified eight priority markets.

“Since 2020, Brazil has not seen such significant exports to the Mexican processed rice market. We believe that now, due to inflation, our quality, and this opportunity, we can sustain and solidify this crucial market for Brazilian processed rice exports,” said Gustavo Trevisan, Abiarroz’s Director of International Affairs, in a statement.

Strengthening Ties with Mexico

In October, Abiarroz representatives participated in the Mexico-Brazil Business Forum in Mexico City as part of President Lula’s delegation—the mission aimed to strengthen bilateral relations ahead of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s inauguration.

During the event, the Brazilian rice industry, through an associated company, advocated for maintaining Mexico’s Paquete Contra la Inflación y la Carestia (Pacic), which exempts import taxes on essential food items, including Brazilian Rice. This measure reduces the price of Brazilian Rice in Mexico by up to 16%. The program remains in effect, with expectations for renewal.

Year-to-Date Figures

In 2024, rice exports (in husk) dropped 25.7%, totaling 1.26 million tons. Revenue from these sales reached $508.7 million, a 15.2% decline.

Meanwhile, imports increased by 6.9%, reaching 1.45 million tons. Expenditures amounted to $659.22 million, representing a 34.1% decrease.

Source: Globo Rural

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