Rice (paddy) production in South Korea
In 2024 South Korea produced 4.8 million t of rice (paddy), the 18th largest in the world (0.58% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 15%. The record was 8.5 million t in 1978. Area harvested: 697,713 ha, yield 6.9 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 4.8 million t
- World rank
- 18 of 115
- 10-year change
- −15%
- Record
- 8.5 million t
- 1978
Rice (paddy) in South Korea, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Korea compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.58%
- 0.76% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 6.9
- world 4.8 (+44%)
- kg per person
- 92.5
- world 100
- 10-year change
- −15%
- world +10%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Nepal | 5,955,500 | 0.73% |
| 17 | Madagascar | 4,970,000 | 0.61% |
| 18 | South Korea | 4,783,114 | 0.58% |
| 19 | Sri Lanka | 4,698,453 | 0.57% |
| 20 | Tanzania | 4,052,141 | 0.49% |
Map of world production of rice (paddy)
Share of the world total; South Korea is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4,783,114 | −2.3% | 697,713 | 6.86 |
| 2023 | 4,897,839 | −2.0% | 708,012 | 6.92 |
| 2022 | 4,998,223 | −4.1% | 727,054 | 6.87 |
| 2021 | 5,211,037 | +11% | 732,477 | 7.11 |
| 2020 | 4,713,162 | −6.0% | 726,432 | 6.49 |
| 2019 | 5,016,083 | −3.5% | 729,814 | 6.87 |
| 2018 | 5,195,437 | −1.7% | 737,673 | 7.04 |
| 2017 | 5,285,551 | −6.0% | 754,713 | 7.00 |
| 2016 | 5,624,607 | −2.5% | 778,734 | 7.22 |
| 2015 | 5,771,026 | +2.4% | 799,344 | 7.22 |
| 2014 | 5,637,682 | +0.1% | 815,506 | 6.91 |
| 2013 | 5,631,689 | +4.2% | 832,625 | 6.76 |
| 2012 | 5,405,155 | −3.8% | 849,172 | 6.37 |
| 2011 | 5,615,916 | −3.4% | 853,823 | 6.58 |
| 2010 | 5,810,817 | −11% | 892,074 | 6.51 |
| 2009 | 6,502,249 | +0.5% | 924,471 | 7.03 |
| 2008 | 6,468,281 | +8.5% | 935,766 | 6.91 |
| 2007 | 5,961,493 | −5.5% | 950,250 | 6.27 |
| 2006 | 6,305,492 | −2.0% | 955,229 | 6.60 |
| 2005 | 6,434,972 | −4.5% | 979,717 | 6.57 |
| 2004 | 6,736,925 | +9.5% | 1,001,159 | 6.73 |
| 2003 | 6,151,202 | −8.0% | 1,016,030 | 6.05 |
| 2002 | 6,687,225 | −9.7% | 1,053,186 | 6.35 |
| 2001 | 7,406,517 | +2.9% | 1,083,125 | 6.84 |
| 2000 | 7,196,582 | +1.8% | 1,072,363 | 6.71 |
| 1999 | 7,065,900 | +4.1% | 1,066,203 | 6.63 |
| 1998 | 6,790,125 | −7.2% | 1,058,927 | 6.41 |
| 1997 | 7,314,885 | +2.7% | 1,052,395 | 6.95 |
| 1996 | 7,122,866 | +11% | 1,049,556 | 6.79 |
| 1995 | 6,388,773 | −6.4% | 1,055,868 | 6.05 |
| 1994 | 6,826,167 | +6.6% | 1,102,608 | 6.19 |
| 1993 | 6,403,875 | −12% | 1,135,812 | 5.64 |
| 1992 | 7,256,894 | −0.5% | 1,156,885 | 6.27 |
| 1991 | 7,292,534 | −5.6% | 1,208,455 | 6.03 |
| 1990 | 7,721,968 | −4.7% | 1,244,341 | 6.21 |
| 1989 | 8,099,953 | −1.9% | 1,256,661 | 6.45 |
| 1988 | 8,260,162 | +8.7% | 1,260,129 | 6.56 |
| 1987 | 7,595,760 | −3.5% | 1,262,324 | 6.02 |
| 1986 | 7,871,368 | +0.2% | 1,235,925 | 6.37 |
| 1985 | 7,855,262 | −1.4% | 1,236,768 | 6.35 |
| 1984 | 7,970,330 | +4.8% | 1,230,861 | 6.48 |
| 1983 | 7,607,540 | +4.1% | 1,228,481 | 6.19 |
| 1982 | 7,307,855 | +2.2% | 1,188,073 | 6.15 |
| 1981 | 7,148,703 | +35% | 1,223,892 | 5.84 |
| 1980 | 5,311,406 | −33% | 1,233,038 | 4.31 |
| 1979 | 7,880,937 | −7.6% | 1,233,234 | 6.39 |
| 1978 | 8,532,000 | +2.2% | 1,229,750 | 6.94 |
| 1977 | 8,348,000 | +15% | 1,230,041 | 6.79 |
| 1976 | 7,249,000 | +12% | 1,214,904 | 5.97 |
| 1975 | 6,485,000 | +5.0% | 1,218,000 | 5.32 |
| 1974 | 6,174,000 | +5.5% | 1,204,515 | 5.13 |
| 1973 | 5,850,000 | +6.4% | 1,181,718 | 4.95 |
| 1972 | 5,496,000 | −1.1% | 1,191,000 | 4.61 |
| 1971 | 5,557,000 | +1.5% | 1,190,000 | 4.67 |
| 1970 | 5,476,000 | −3.7% | 1,203,000 | 4.55 |
| 1969 | 5,688,000 | +28% | 1,220,000 | 4.66 |
| 1968 | 4,442,000 | −11% | 1,151,000 | 3.86 |
| 1967 | 5,008,000 | −8.1% | 1,235,000 | 4.06 |
| 1966 | 5,448,000 | +12% | 1,231,000 | 4.43 |
| 1965 | 4,867,000 | −8.9% | 1,228,000 | 3.96 |
| 1964 | 5,344,000 | +5.2% | 1,195,000 | 4.47 |
| 1963 | 5,079,000 | +25% | 1,155,000 | 4.40 |
| 1962 | 4,074,000 | −13% | 1,139,000 | 3.58 |
| 1961 | 4,679,000 | — | 1,128,000 | 4.15 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 7 t USD 24,000
- Exporter rank
- 73 of 86
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of rice (paddy) in South Korea?
South Korea produced 4.8 million t in 2024, 0.58% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Korea rank in the world for production of rice (paddy)?
South Korea ranked 18th of 115 countries in 2024. The largest producer was India with 26.6% of the world total.
How has the production of rice (paddy) in South Korea changed?
It fell by 15% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +10% for the world. The record was 8.5 million t in 1978.
What is the yield of rice (paddy) in South Korea?
6.9 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (4.8 million t from 697,713 ha), against a world average of 4.8 t/ha.
Does South Korea export or import rice?
In 2024 South Korea reported exports of 7 t (USD 24,000) and no imports, according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.