Brown rice market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The brown rice market in Africa saw considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023, with total volume dropping sharply from 8.4 million tons to 4.5 million tons in 2020 before recovering to 6.0 million tons by 2023. This pattern was heavily influenced by climatic conditions, particularly prolonged droughts and irregular rainfall that constrained local production, alongside government efforts to increase output through new irrigation schemes and the introduction of high-yield rice varieties.

The market's initial strength in 2018 was supported by the launch of Kenya's National Rice Development Strategy, which aimed for self-sufficiency, coupled with a growing consumer preference for rice. The severe production decline in 2020 was directly linked to adverse weather, while recovery from 2021 onward was driven by the expansion of double-cropping in areas like the Mwea Irrigation Scheme and the adoption of drought-tolerant varieties. Government collaboration with Korea further boosted yields and quality in 2023.

Consumer demand for rice continued to rise, especially in urban areas, throughout the period. Regulatory actions, including seizures of contaminated rice by the Kenya Bureau of Standards, addressed quality concerns. By 2024, the market faced supply pressures due to critically low stocks and import uncertainties, while consumer preferences increasingly shifted toward brown rice and local aromatic varieties.

Production brown rice in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Africa's brown rice production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, production was at a higher level, but by 2020 it had dropped to 4,002 thousand tonnes, marking a dramatic decrease of 43.4% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 49.3%, with an average annual decline of 20.2%.

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

Exports brown rice from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Volumes hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a six-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Africa's cross-border shipments of brown rice totaled 3.0 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp reduction of 62.5% from the prior year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 8.1 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a jump of 297.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Thailand, and Russia were the largest buyers of brown rice from Africa, accounting for 1.3%, 0.7%, and 0.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 2.7% of total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Volatility was a key feature of the market behavior over these years. There was a 3.3-fold variation between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2019. In 2020, Africa's brown rice export value amounted to 5.5 million US dollars, showing an intense reduction of 26.6% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7.5 million US dollars, and the largest increase happened in 2018 with a rise of 140.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates led the structure of exports in value terms, with shares of 1.3%, 0.8%, and 0.7%, respectively. Combined, they represented 2.7% of total export flows in value.

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

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

Imports brown rice to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year contraction, brown rice imports into Africa increased. In 2019, imports were at their minimum of 391.0 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 they had risen to 525.4 thousand tonnes, up by 34.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 37.7%, with an average annual decline of 14.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 38.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, India, and Myanmar were the top suppliers of brown rice to Africa, accounting for 44.0%, 26.3%, and 11.4% of imports in kind, respectively. Their combined share reached 81.7% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year reduction, Africa's brown rice imports increased. In 2019, the minimum value was recorded at 182.8 million US dollars, but by 2020, imports had climbed to reflect a steep gain of 37.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 46.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 49.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand, India, and Pakistan remained the key partners in imports in value terms, with shares of 49.9%, 25.5%, and 7.7%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 83.2% of total import flows in value.

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

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