Market Overview
Saudi Arabia has a population of 34.2 million (about 40 percent is under 25 years of age) and the population is expected to nearly double in the next 20 years. Annual consumption of rice is estimated at 100 lbs and approximately 1.3 million tons of rice is imported annually. The U.S. is among the top three suppliers to Saudi, and Saudi Arabia was the sixth largest export destination for U.S. rice in terms of value in 2019, importing 117,300 MT with a value of $96.8 million. About 90 percent of the rice market in Saudi Arabia consists of long grain rice, including basmati, parboiled and regular white milled rice; the remaining 10 percent consists of medium grain varieties.
USA Rice Activities
In close cooperation with local importers, USA Rice conducts outdoor advertising, in-store promotions and branding, radio and print advertising, as well as social media activities on Facebook and Instagram all communicating the high quality of U.S. rice and its suitability to the Saudi cuisine.