Italy Rice Market Size (2024 - 2029)

Italy Rice Market Analysis

The Italy Rice Market size is estimated at USD 2.48 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 2.97 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.84% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Rice cultivation is mostly located in Northern Italy (Piemonte, Lombardia, and Veneto regions) where water is relatively abundant and the rice crop can be raised in flooded fields. Approximately 84.0% of rice varieties grown in Italy are Japonica, while the remaining is Indica. A rice variety that is widely cultivated for domestic consumption is the 'Lungo A' grain. This broad category includes Carnaroli, Arborio, Baldo, S. Andrea, and Volano types. In terms of foreign exchange, rice is one of the most commercially important cereal crops in Italy. Since the introduction of the European Community policy, the cultivated rice area in Italy increased mainly owing to favorable market conditions for Italian paddy production.

Increased purchases of rice in Italy, fueled by rising demand from importing nations and local consumption, led to a surge in rice prices. Italy's average rice production stands at approximately 1.3 million metric tons, with 53.0% of this volume exported to other European nations. As Europe's leading rice producer, Italy cultivates rice over an area of 218.42 thousand hectares, yielding more than 56,632 g/ha in 2022 as per FAOSTAT. Per capita rice consumption in Italy reached 8.52 kg in 2021, marking a 3.65% increase from the previous year, as reported by European Union Statistics.

However, the high costs associated with producing rice in Italy, including labor and land expenses, may make it challenging to compete on price with imports from Asian countries. Italy's reliance on imported specialty rice highlights the importance of international trade partnerships and the challenges of competing with lower-cost producers.

Italy Rice Industry Segmentation

Rice is a grain of Oryza sativa and is a major staple food in many countries. It is known as paddy when threshed and is covered by a fibrous husk that comprises nearly 40% of the grain. The report includes production (volume), consumption (volume and value), import (volume and value), export (volume and value), and price trend analysis. The report offers market estimation and forecasts value in (USD) and volume (metric tons) for the above segments.