EU millers push for safeguard duties as import surge strains domestic rice sector

• Rising low-duty imports erode EU milling margins 
• Policy review may tighten market access for key exporters

The European Union’s rice milling industry is pressing for safeguard duties on imports, citing mounting pressure from rising inflows under preferential trade regimes. Industry bodies, led by the Federation of European Rice Millers (FERM), argue that elevated import volumes are distorting the market and compressing domestic milling margins.

Imports have reached around 1.7 million tonnes (mnt), with a significant share entering at reduced or zero tariffs, intensifying competition for locally milled rice.

Cost pressures, weak realisations weigh on producers

European millers say the influx of competitively priced rice, coupled with high compliance and production costs, is making domestic operations increasingly unviable. The pressure extends across the value chain, affecting both paddy procurement economics and finished rice realisations.

Trade policy shift may reshape export flows

The industry is now calling for a review of trade agreements and activation of safeguard mechanisms to rebalance the market. If implemented, higher duties could alter trade flows, tightening EU market access for major exporters such as India and reinforcing a more protectionist stance in the bloc’s rice trade policy.