The overall value of rice imports from all buyer countries expanded by an average 15.2% since 2018 when worldwide rice purchases cost $26.9 billion.
Year over year, globally imported rice grew by 7.1% compared to $29 billion in sales during 2021.
The top 5 countries for importing rice are mainland China, United States of America, Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Combined, those 5 major rice buyers account for about one quarter (24.7%) of worldwide demand for imported rice.
Applying a continental lens, Asian countries consumed the highest dollar worth of imported rice during 2022 with purchases valued at $14.1 billion or 45.6% of the global total. In second place were African importers at 24.2% while another 15.3% of worldwide rice imports were delivered to buyers in Europe.
Smaller percentages were accepted by importers in North America (7.5%), Latin America (5.6%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean, then Oceanian countries (1.7%) led by Australia.
For research purposes, the 4-digit Harmonized Tariff System code prefix for rice is 1006.
Rice Imports by Country
Below are the 15 countries that imported the highest dollar value worth of rice during 2022.
- China: US$2.6 billion (8.5% of total rice imports)
- United States: $1.4 billion (4.5%)
- Philippines: $1.3 billion (4.1%)
- Saudi Arabia: $1.2 billion (3.9%)
- Iran: $1.16 billion (3.7%)
- Iraq: $1.11 billion (3.6%)
- Ivory Coast: $810 million (2.6%)
- United Arab Emirates: $722.6 million (2.3%)
- Japan: $670.4 million (2.2%)
- France: $655.9 million (2.1%)
- Benin: $635.3 million (2%)
- Malaysia: $609.3 million (2%)
- United Kingdom: $603.2 million (1.9%)
- Senegal: $557.2 million (1.8%)
- Belgium: $554.2 million (1.8%)
The top 15 countries purchased 47.1% of all rice imported during 2022. Imported rice remains in demand from importing geographies located around the globe. (See the searchable list further down this article).
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing markets for rice since 2021 were: United Arab Emirates (up 82.1%), Iran (up 58.8%), Iraq (up 39.6%) and the United States of America (up 38.2%).
The sole listed buyer country to post a decline in its imported rice purchases was Benin via a -1.3% downturn.
Rice Imports into China
Below are the top suppliers from which China imported the highest dollar value worth of rice during 2022. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value garnered by each supplying country compared to 2021.
- India: US$777 million (up 108.6% from 2021)
- Pakistan: $455.4 million (up 14.1%)
- Vietnam: $437.2 million (down -18.4%)
- Thailand: $420 million (up 23.5%)
- Myanmar: $314.4 million (up 5.6%)
- Cambodia: $181 million (down -5.9%)
- Laos: $25.6 million (up 57.6%)
- Taiwan: $9.5 million (down -70%)
- Japan: $2.4 million (up 5.2%)
- Italy: $328,000 (up 260.4%)
- mainland China: $19,000 (2021 data unavailable)
- United States of America: $17,000 (up 54.5%)
- France: $5,000 (2021 data unavailable)
- Germany: $2,000 (2021 data unavailable)
The listed countries shipped 100% of all Chinese rice imports for 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of rice to mainland China since 2021 were: Italy (up 260.4%), India (up 108.6%), Laos (up 57.6%) and the United States of America (up 54.5%).
A trio of major suppliers experienced declines in the value of their rice supplied to Chinese importers, namely Taiwan (down -70% from 2021), Vietnam (down -18.4%) and Cambodia (down -5.9%).
Overall, the value of China’s rice imports rose by an average 19.9% from all supplying countries since 2021 when rice purchases were valued at $2.2 billion.
Rice Imports into the United States
Below are the top 15 suppliers from which the United States of America imported the highest dollar value worth of rice during 2022. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country compared to 2021.
- Thailand: US$788.3 million (up 30.1% from 2021)
- India: $357.9 million (up 58.4%)
- Pakistan: $44.1 million (up 17.3%)
- mainland China: $33.6 million (up 37.1%)
- Brazil: $24.5 million (up 22.2%)
- Australia: $24.5 million (up 9,453%)
- Vietnam: $23.8 million (up 54.5%)
- Argentina: $20.2 million (up 24.8%)
- Italy: $19.8 million (up 34.9%)
- Canada: $15.9 million (up 18.9%)
- Spain: $15.5 million (up 39.2%)
- Japan: $10.4 million (up 79.3%)
- South Korea: $3.6 million (up 114.8%)
- Bangladesh: $3.3 million (up 4.9%)
- Uruguay: $3.2 million (up 24.3%)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 98.8% of American rice imports in 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of rice to the United States of America since 2021 were: Australia (up 9,453%), South Korea (up 114.8%), Japan (up 79.3%) and India (up 58.4%).
The most modest gain in the value of rice supplied to American importers came from suppliers in Bangladesh via a 4.9% advance compared to 2021.
Overall, the value of America’s rice imports increased by an average 38.2% from all supplying countries since 2021 when rice purchases were valued at $1 billion.
Rice Imports into the Philippines
Below are the top suppliers from which the Philippines imported the highest dollar value worth of rice during 2022. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country compared to 2021.
- Vietnam: US$1 billion (up 6.1% from 2021)
- Thailand: $67.1 million (up 16.2%)
- Myanmar: $64.1 million (down -7%)
- Pakistan: $56.3 million (up 447.3%)
- India: $39.4 million (down -12.3%)
- mainland China: $26.8 million (down -48.2%)
- South Korea: $2.3 million (2021 data unavailable)
- Singapore: $641,000 (down -76.2%)
- Japan: $244,000 (up 24300%)
- France: $22,000 (2021 data unavailable)
- Italy: $6,000 (up 20%)
- Spain: $2,000 (down -75%)
By value, the listed countries shipped 100% of rice imported by Philippines in 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of rice to Philippines since 2021 were: Japan (up 24,300%), Pakistan (up 447.3%), Italy (up 20%) and Thailand (up 16.2%).
Posting double-digit declines were providers in Singapore (down -76.2% from 2021), Spain (down -75%), mainland China (down -48.2%) and India (down -12.3%).
Overall, the value of the Philippines’ rice imports went up by an average 6.4% from all supplying countries since 2021 when rice purchases were valued at $1.2 billion.
Rice Imports into Japan
Below are the top suppliers from which Japan imported the highest dollar value worth of rice during 2022. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country compared to 2021.
- United States: US$411.1 million (up 34.3% from 2021)
- Thailand: $150.1 million (up 1.7%)
- mainland China: $74.2 million (up 32.4%)
- Australia: $27.5 million (up 3755.5%)
- Taiwan: $2.1 million (down -28.3%)
- Pakistan: $2 million (down -31.7%)
- India: $1.8 million (down -29.3%)
- Argentina: $908,000 (up 56%)
- Vietnam: $276,000 (down -37.8%)
- Italy: $273,000 (down -54.4%)
- Spain: $103,000 (up 58.5%)
- Bangladesh: $46,000 (up 170.6%)
- Sri Lanka: $38,000 (down -25.5%)
- Brazil: $3,000 (2021 data unavailable)
By value, the listed countries shipped 100% of all Japanese rice imports during 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of rice to Japan since 2021 were: Australia (up 3,756%), Bangladesh (up 170.6%), Spain (up 58.5%) and Argentina (up 56%).
Countries that experienced declines in the value of their rice supplied to Japanese importers included: Italy (down -54.4% from 2021), Vietnam (down -37.8%) and Pakistan (down -31.7%).
Overall, the value of Japan’s rice imports expanded by an average 28.8% from all supplying countries since 2021 when rice purchases were valued at $520.4 million.
Searchable List of Rice Importing Countries in 2022
The 100 countries showcased in the automated database account for 96.6% of the global spending on imported rice during 2022.
You can change the presentation order by clicking the triangle icon at the top of any of the columns below.
| Rank | Importer | Rice Imports | 2021-2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | China | $2,622,692,000 | +19.9% |
| 2. | United States | $1,405,742,000 | +38.2% |
| 3. | Philippines | $1,273,457,000 | +6.4% |
| 4. | Saudi Arabia | $1,201,654,000 | +10.5% |
| 5. | Iran | $1,161,006,000 | +58.8% |
| 6. | Iraq | $1,106,585,000 | +39.6% |
| 7. | Ivory Coast | $809,964,000 | +10.8% |
| 8. | United Arab Emirates | $722,649,000 | +82.1% |
| 9. | Japan | $670,350,000 | +28.8% |
| 10. | France | $655,939,000 | +14.3% |
| 11. | Benin | $635,279,000 | -1.3% |
| 12. | Malaysia | $609,323,000 | +5.9% |
| 13. | United Kingdom | $603,215,000 | +6.7% |
| 14. | Senegal | $557,174,000 | +18.7% |
| 15. | Belgium | $554,175,000 | +28.6% |
| 16. | Niger | $547,226,000 | +16.4% |
| 17. | Canada | $499,602,000 | +32.5% |
| 18. | Germany | $478,787,000 | +6.6% |
| 19. | South Africa | $478,321,000 | -5.2% |
| 20. | South Korea | $454,454,000 | +12.9% |
| 21. | Ethiopia | $453,656,000 | -33.9% |
| 22. | Yemen | $435,277,000 | +18.8% |
| 23. | Mexico | $430,948,000 | +8% |
| 24. | Netherlands | $422,745,000 | +18.8% |
| 25. | Angola | $363,250,000 | +37.9% |
| 26. | Bangladesh | $357,429,000 | -64.8% |
| 27. | Italy | $353,392,000 | +81.8% |
| 28. | Brazil | $350,123,000 | +10.5% |
| 29. | Madagascar | $324,634,000 | +19% |
| 30. | Mozambique | $317,207,000 | -15.9% |
| 31. | Nepal | $312,118,000 | -30.8% |
| 32. | Guinea | $300,643,000 | -9.9% |
| 33. | Cameroon | $299,774,000 | -20.1% |
| 34. | Türkiye | $293,139,000 | +54.2% |
| 35. | Sri Lanka | $292,451,000 | +269.5% |
| 36. | Kenya | $290,979,000 | +2.8% |
| 37. | Spain | $276,619,000 | +52% |
| 38. | Haiti | $253,764,000 | +2.1% |
| 39. | Hong Kong | $248,353,000 | -2.8% |
| 40. | Singapore | $239,574,000 | -6.3% |
| 41. | Somalia | $236,943,000 | +20.5% |
| 42. | Australia | $230,791,000 | +26.9% |
| 43. | Oman | $220,541,000 | +8.5% |
| 44. | Vietnam | $209,523,000 | -70.9% |
| 45. | Liberia | $208,867,000 | -2.5% |
| 46. | Indonesia | $202,042,000 | +9.9% |
| 47. | Venezuela | $193,861,000 | -25.6% |
| 48. | Jordan | $183,317,000 | +2.1% |
| 49. | Kuwait | $183,018,000 | -18% |
| 50. | Afghanistan | $181,052,000 | +42.3% |
| 51. | Djibouti | $166,849,000 | -3.9% |
| 52. | Sierra Leone | $160,504,000 | +25.7% |
| 53. | Papua New Guinea | $160,181,000 | -10.2% |
| 54. | Qatar | $144,472,000 | +17.1% |
| 55. | Portugal | $142,116,000 | +46.7% |
| 56. | Burkina Faso | $138,017,000 | +93.3% |
| 57. | Poland | $134,072,000 | -8.7% |
| 58. | Israel | $133,754,000 | +13.7% |
| 59. | Colombia | $120,964,000 | +603.4% |
| 60. | Russia | $115,249,000 | +17.1% |
| 61. | Czech Republic | $109,541,000 | +27.5% |
| 62. | Uganda | $109,258,000 | -52% |
| 63. | Switzerland | $102,169,000 | +3.7% |
| 64. | Chile | $100,547,000 | +6.5% |
| 65. | Egypt | $100,275,000 | +79.9% |
| 66. | Costa Rica | $97,688,000 | +21.5% |
| 67. | Cuba | $95,268,000 | +17% |
| 68. | Sweden | $93,931,000 | +13.3% |
| 69. | Algeria | $89,269,000 | +41.9% |
| 70. | Taiwan | $87,760,000 | +22.4% |
| 71. | Romania | $85,302,000 | +104.2% |
| 72. | Ghana | $84,685,000 | -84.9% |
| 73. | Peru | $81,911,000 | -50.9% |
| 74. | Guatemala | $78,673,000 | +59.3% |
| 75. | Gambia | $73,396,000 | +91.1% |
| 76. | Bulgaria | $72,733,000 | +178.1% |
| 77. | Timor-Leste | $69,260,000 | +29.8% |
| 78. | Honduras | $68,527,000 | +2.7% |
| 79. | Ukraine | $68,269,000 | +60.4% |
| 80. | Bahrain | $65,664,000 | +20.1% |
| 81. | Mauritius | $62,246,000 | +32.7% |
| 82. | Syria | $62,017,000 | -21.7% |
| 83. | Rwanda | $61,407,000 | -30.9% |
| 84. | New Zealand | $61,253,000 | +6.5% |
| 85. | Nicaragua | $58,837,000 | -11.7% |
| 86. | Lebanon | $58,724,000 | +38.7% |
| 87. | Jamaica | $57,636,000 | +9.1% |
| 88. | Austria | $56,789,000 | +3.3% |
| 89. | Congo | $56,375,000 | +38.9% |
| 90. | Togo | $56,358,000 | +37.9% |
| 91. | Hungary | $53,103,000 | +31.1% |
| 92. | El Salvador | $51,734,000 | +35% |
| 93. | Democr. Rep. Congo | $51,143,000 | +17.6% |
| 94. | Denmark | $49,196,000 | -0.3% |
| 95. | Sudan | $49,173,000 | +38.4% |
| 96. | Mali | $46,820,000 | -24% |
| 97. | Norway | $44,299,000 | +25% |
| 98. | Morocco | $43,006,000 | +30.9% |
| 99. | Azerbaijan | $42,551,000 | +25.4% |
| 100. | Botswana | $42,212,000 | +26.3% |
After expanding the scope of our analysis to the top 100 rice importers, there were 75 gainers from 2021 to 2022.
Increasing their spending on imported rice the most were Colombia (up 603.4% since 2021), Sri Lanka (up 269.5%), Bulgaria (up 178.1%) and Romania (up 104.2%).
Year over year, the severest declines in imported rice purchases belonged to buyers in Ghana (down -84.9% from 2021), Vietnam (down -70.9%), Bangladesh (down -64.8%), Uganda (down -52%) then Peru (down -50.9%).
See also Rice Exports by Country, China’s Rice Imports by Country, Saudi Arabia’s Top 10 Imports, Average Rice Prices Compared for Major Rice Export Countries, Best Tofu Exports by Sales, Average Unit Prices & Weight
Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Field Listing: Imports – Commodities. Accessed on August 14, 2023
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on August 14, 2023
Investopedia, Net Exports Definition. Accessed on August 14, 2023
