Europe Rice Market - Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

Europe Rice Market - Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The European rice market is projected to register a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European rice market suffered from challenges like disruptions to the supply chain due to restricted trade movements and lockdowns. While restaurants and bars closed in most European countries, the demand for grains and pulses remained stable in retail. The demand for grains is projected to be bullish over the forecast period in Europe, and the production outlook for grains is positive. However, food shortage can be a real threat in the short term if logistical restrictions and protectionism increase.

The rice crop is grown across 27+ European countries on about 450,000 hectares on average. The region produces around 70% of the total rice consumed domestically, and the average annual production stands at 3.1 million ton for the region. The per capita annual consumption was 3.5-5 kg in non-rice growing countries and 6-18 kg in Southern Europe. Italy and Spain are the major rice-growing countries, accounting for 80% of the total EU rice production. Other rice-growing areas are Greece, Portugal, France, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary. The region depends on imports for specialty long grain Indica rice, such as basmati and jasmine from India and Pakistan.

Europe Rice Market TrendsStrong Demand in Northwestern Europe

The majority of European rice imports are accounted for by Northwestern Europe, with United Kingdom, France, and Germany being the largest importers. France and the Netherlands are the largest importers of rice from developing countries. The Netherlands has a strong marine transportation system that forms a critical entry point for rice into Europe from various developing countries. Important rice varieties imported by Europe are long-grain Indica rice and aromatic varieties (basmati, jasmine, etc.). United Kingdom is the leading importer of basmati rice, largely sourced from India. India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Cambodia are some major exporters of rice to Europe.

Italy is the Largest Rice Consuming Country

Italy is by far the largest producer of rice in the European region and accounted for about 40% of the total rice production in the region in 2017. Rice cultivation in Italy is mostly concentrated in the north in Piemonte, Lombardia, and Veneto regions, primarily due to the abundance of water required to raise the rice crop. According to the Italian Rice Association, in 2017, around 84% of the rice varieties grown in Italy were Japonica, while the remaining were Indica varieties.

Risotto is one of the most representative and widely eaten Italian dishes, and its demand has been rising rapidly among domestic and international consumers. Italian consumers perceive rice and grains to be healthier than pasta. Owing to the growing health consciousness among Italian consumers, they are cutting back and limiting the amount of pasta in their diet and shifting toward consuming healthier grains, including rice. With the changing consumer preferences and lifestyles, local companies in the country are consistently involved in innovation that constantly adapts to the needs of the modern consumer. For instance, Italian company Riso Bello introduced new ready-to-eat risottos in its product range to satisfy the market demand for high-quality, easy-to-cook products.

Europe Rice Market Competitive AnalysisAdditional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support

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