Why Does Brazil Consume More Rice Than Any Other South-American Country?

DOUGLAS, Scotland - May 27, 2015 - PRLog -- In 2013, the leading consumers of rice were Brazil (11.6 million tonnes), Peru (3.2 million tonnes), Colombia (2.2 million tonnes), Ecuador (1.5 million tonnes) and Venezuela (1.4 million tonnes), which together accounted for approximately 86% of total consumption in South America. These countries were also the leading producers of rice on the continent.

Except for Asia, Brazil can be defined as one of the largest producers and consumers of rice in the world. Rice is one of the essential elements in Brazilian diet, along with black beans and manioc (a root vegetable like a potato). Although it is typical for Brazilians to mix different types of food on the same plate, combination of rice and beans stays an imprescriptible staple on a Brazilian table, be it lunch or dinner.

No wonder that more than 50% of total rice consumption in South America was recorded in Brazil from 2007 to 2013. Per capita rice consumption was estimated at 58.0 kg/year, slightly higher than the average level (56.8 kg/year).

The highest annual growth rates were registered in Suriname with 13.0% growth, Argentina and Guyana with 8.3% and 7.4% growth, respectively. In Paraguay, rice consumption grew rapidly in recent years. In 2013, Paraguay’s per capita consumption reached 33.0  kg/year as compared with 8.0 kg/year in 2007.

Source: http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/south-america-rice-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/