Brown rice market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The brown rice market in Northern Africa experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market volume started at 121.6 thousand tons in 2018, dipped to 111.5 thousand tons in 2019, then recovered to 125.8 thousand tons in 2020. A sharp contraction followed in 2021, with the market shrinking to 72.7 thousand tons, before a strong rebound to 108.6 thousand tons in 2022 and a further rise to 136.0 thousand tons in 2023.

Domestic production was the primary determinant of market size, rising from 85.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 135.8 thousand tons in 2023. This growth occurred alongside a drastic reduction in imports, which fell from 36.3 thousand tons in 2018 to negligible levels thereafter, significantly altering the supply structure.

By 2024, the market environment was shaped by rising health consciousness and nutritional awareness among consumers, who increasingly sought the vitamins, magnesium, and high fiber content in brown rice. This demand was met with innovations in product packaging and the introduction of ready-to-cook brown rice varieties.

Production brown rice in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Northern Africa's brown rice production increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 124.3 thousand tons of brown rice, which represents a 12.3% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 11.1%, averaging an annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 85.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 38.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 29.4%.

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

Exports brown rice from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the observed period. Exports fluctuated significantly, with a 915-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2019, exports hit their minimum at just 1 ton, marking a sharp decline of 99.8%. Then in 2020, brown rice exports from Northern Africa surged to 458 tons, representing a dramatic increase of 91,385.8% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and Russia were consistently the main destinations for brown rice exports, together accounting for 99.3% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 thousand US dollars, which corresponded to a significant decline of 99.5%. By 2020, Northern Africa's brown rice exports in value terms had recovered sharply to 272 thousand US dollars, showing an intense year-over-year increase of 25,172.5%. The peak-to-trough ratio between 2019 and 2020 was 253 times.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United Kingdom and Russia remained the core markets for brown rice exports in value terms, jointly representing 84.1% of total export value. Other destinations contributed relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports brown rice to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The import market demonstrated volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports peaked in 2018 at 36,252 tons, which was a substantial increase of 163.7% from the previous year. However, they then fell sharply to a trough of 728 tons in 2019, marking a decline of 98.0% and representing a 50-fold decrease from the 2018 peak. In 2020, imports rebounded to 1,908 tons, showing a sharp rise of 161.9% compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Vietnam, and China were the leading suppliers of brown rice to Northern Africa in volume terms. India accounted for 62.9% of imports, followed by Vietnam at 8.1% and China at 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented 78.1% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The minimum was recorded in 2019 at 662 thousand US dollars, which saw a decline of 97.4%. In contrast, 2018 reached the maximum at 25,546 thousand US dollars, with an increase of 118.5%. There was a 39-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 996 thousand US dollars, constituting a 50.4% increase compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, China, and Vietnam formed the main cluster of markets for brown rice imports in value terms. India led with 59.6% of import value, followed by China at 10.4% and Vietnam at 7.3%. Their combined share reached 77.2% of total import value.

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

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