Rice/CEPEA: Market Remains Sluggish; Exports Decline

According to the CEPEA research center at the University of São Paulo, the paddy rice market in Rio Grande do Sul continues to experience low liquidity. Despite a slight increase in supply, driven by both the need for capital by some producers and the advancement of the 2025/26 harvest, commercialization remains limited. CEPEA researchers indicate that a sharp retraction in Brazilian exports during April, coupled with weakened demand for processed rice in the domestic market, has maintained pressure throughout the supply chain. Data from Secex shows that Brazilian rice shipments totaled 78,790 tons in April, marking the lowest volume since February 2025. This figure represents a 67.27% decrease compared to March and a 6.04% reduction from the previous year. The significant decline in exports is a key factor contributing to the sluggish market activity.