Weekly household consumption of rice in the United Kingdom (UK) 2006-2022

In 2021/2022, average rice purchases per capita per week amounted to 101 grams in the United Kingdom. This marks a rebound from the low in 2016/17 back to the higher consumption numbers of 2015 and 2014. 

Consumption in detail

The UK consumer purchases three different types of rice: dried rice, cooked rice, and takeaway rice. The amount of takeaway rice that was eaten by consumer has remained relatively stable for the past ten years. Changes are mainly happening among the two other types. The Average purchase per person of cooked rice was approximately 23 grams in 2018/19. Average purchases of dried rice per person were approximately 70 grams and purchases of takeaway rice amounted to roughly 14 grams.

Rice trade

Rice isn’t produced in the UK. Therefore, the only source of rice are imports from around the world. The value of imports in 2019 was close to 415 million British pounds. Fluctuations in imports of tens of millions of pounds are common. Nonetheless, growth in 2008 compared to the previous year still constitutes a major jump in imports. Despite the UK not producing rice, Exports do happen. Rice re-exports from the UK amounted to a seventh of the value of imports in 2019.