Brown rice market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the brown rice market volume in Middle Africa contracted from 369.5 thousand tonnes to 234.5 thousand tonnes. This decline was primarily driven by a steep reduction in imports, which fell from 178.7 thousand tonnes to 63.8 thousand tonnes over the period, as the government pursued import-substitution policies and promoted 'Made in Cameroon' rice. During these years, state intervention through public companies like SEMRY aimed to modernize the sector, supported by a multisectoral framework involving private actors. International partners such as the World Bank and JICA provided backing, and initiatives like the Proderip project were launched to develop irrigated and rainfed rice cultivation, introduce new farming methods, and improve seed quality, laying the groundwork for future production growth despite a temporary dip in output.

The market entered a recovery phase from 2022 onward, with production surging from 171.1 thousand tonnes in 2021 to 244.9 thousand tonnes in 2023, helping to push the total market volume back up to 268.4 thousand tonnes by 2023. This turnaround was fueled by the implementation of a comprehensive national rice sector development strategy adopted in 2023, which allocated 385 billion FCFA to increase local production to 750,000 tonnes by 2030. Concurrent training programs for value chain actors by AfricaRice and IRAD focused on sustainable practices and quality seed production, aiming for 1,600 tonnes of certified seeds. To manage short-term supply and price stability, authorities also instructed operators to import 150,000 tonnes of rice for the 2023 year-end holidays, reflecting the ongoing tension between import reliance and domestic production goals.

Production brown rice in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Brown rice production in Middle Africa declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 195.8 thousand tons. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 188.9 thousand tons, representing a 3.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 11.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 14.4%.

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

Exports brown rice from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of brown rice from Middle Africa showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, while exports peaked in 2018 at 2.5 thousand tons—a 9.1-fold increase from the previous year's low. By 2020, exports had dropped sharply to just 0.3 thousand tons, marking a dramatic 62.4% decline compared to 2019. The most substantial year-on-year growth occurred in 2018, with exports surging by 810.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria and Uganda were the dominant destinations for Middle Africa's brown rice exports in volume terms, together accounting for 14.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of brown rice exports from Middle Africa experienced significant fluctuations, indicating a highly volatile market. The lowest value was recorded in 2020, while exports reached their peak in 2018 at 2.8 million US dollars—representing a 22-fold increase from the 2020 low. In 2020, export value stood at just 0.1 million US dollars, an 84.9% decrease from the previous year. The most dramatic year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when export value jumped by 588.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Nigeria and Uganda remained the primary destinations for Middle Africa's brown rice exports in value terms, together representing 32.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports brown rice to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Brown rice imports into Middle Africa displayed notable volatility throughout the observed period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2017, while imports peaked in 2018 at 178.7 thousand tons—an 8-fold increase from the 2017 low. By 2020, import volume had declined to 69.0 thousand tons, representing a 22.8% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with imports surging by 700.4%, while the largest decline took place in 2019, when imports fell by 50.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand consistently dominated Middle Africa's brown rice imports in volume terms, accounting for 75.2% of total imports. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of brown rice imports into Middle Africa showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while imports peaked in 2018 at 115.6 million US dollars—a 7.7-fold increase from the 2017 low. In 2020, import value stood at 49.6 million US dollars, representing a slight 1.3% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with import value jumping by 669.4%, while the largest decline took place in 2019, when import value fell by 56.5%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Thailand maintained its dominant position in Middle Africa's brown rice imports in value terms, accounting for 85.1% of total imports. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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