Broken rice market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

The broken rice market in Senegal expanded significantly from 1.4 million tons in 2018 to a peak of 1.95 million tons in 2022, despite a temporary contraction in 2019. Growth during 2020-2021 was supported by increased mechanization in rice farming, including the wider adoption of tractors and cereal threshers, which boosted domestic production capacity. This period also saw rising consumption, further propelled in 2022 by the introduction of more convenient and quick-to-prepare broken rice products from small local enterprises, which stimulated demand.

Government intervention became a key market force by 2024, with authorities setting a maximum retail price for ordinary broken rice in the Dakar region and suspending import duties to relieve consumer burdens, following a Senegalese-Indian agreement and lower international prices. These measures, alongside persistent consumer preference for affordable imported broken rice in rural areas due to quality and availability issues with local rice, sustained import volumes that constitute approximately 80% of the market.

After the 2022 peak, the total market volume moderated to 1.84 million tons in 2023. Domestic production continued its upward trajectory, reaching 757 thousand tons that year, reflecting the ongoing development of local capacity amid a market structure heavily influenced by import policy, price controls, and distinct urban versus rural consumption patterns.

Production broken rice in Senegal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal ranked as the 13th largest producer of broken rice globally.

Top producers of broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of broken rice, 2017-2020

Broken rice production in Senegal increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 600.0 K t of broken rice, marking a 20.0% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 185.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 41.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Senegal in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Senegal's broken rice production increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 238.3 M $ US, showing a 22.9% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 204.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 44.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Senegal in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports broken rice from Senegal

Exports in kind, K t

After rising for two years, Senegal's broken rice exports declined. In 2020, the country exported 48 K t of broken rice, a 59.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 41.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 16.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 118 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 35.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Senegal in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Mali was the primary destination for Senegal's broken rice exports in kind, accounting for 87.6% of total flows, with a diverse range of other markets making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Senegal in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year increase, broken rice exports from Senegal declined. In 2020, export value stood at 19.2 M $ US, representing a sharp 58.0% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 38.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 45.7 M $ US, and the largest increase happened in 2018 with a 43.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Senegal in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Mali dominated as the main buyer of broken rice from Senegal in value terms, accounting for 86.9% of total exports, while other countries shared the remaining portion.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Senegal in value, 2017-2020

Imports broken rice to Senegal

Imports in kind, K t

Senegal imported 1 105 K t of broken rice in 2020, up by 39.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.8%, with an annualized rate of -1.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 791 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 273 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 37.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Senegal in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, India, Thailand, and Brazil were the key sources for Senegal's broken rice imports in kind, accounting for 45.2%, 17.8%, and 12.0% respectively, together making up 74.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Senegal in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Senegal's broken rice imports from abroad amounted to 416.8 M $ US, a 40.1% increase year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 297.5 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 474.8 M $ US. The largest decline took place in 2019 with a 37.3% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Senegal in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, India, Thailand, and Brazil remained the top markets for Senegal's broken rice imports in value terms, collectively accounting for 75.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Senegal in value, 2017-2020