Brown rice market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The brown rice market in Sub-Saharan Africa contracted significantly from 8 316 thousand tons in 2018 to 4 399 thousand tons in 2020, a decline closely tied to a sharp drop in domestic production from 7 722 to 3 878 thousand tons over the same two years.

A steady recovery unfolded from 2021 to 2023, with the market volume expanding to 5 853 thousand tons as production climbed to 5 195 thousand tons and import levels showed renewed strength.

In 2024, mixed global cereal price trends and a growing consumer focus on health-conscious eating influenced the trade landscape, contributing to a rise in brown rice imports to 681 thousand tons for the region.

Production brown rice in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Sub-Saharan Africa's brown rice production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 878 thousand tons of brown rice, which represents a significant 44.3% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 50%, translating to an average annual decline of 20.6%.

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

Exports brown rice from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for brown rice from Sub-Saharan Africa showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a sixfold difference between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 2.6 thousand tons, marking a sharp 68.2% decrease from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 8.1 thousand tons, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 279.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand was the leading buyer of brown rice from Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 0.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values displayed irregular patterns, reflecting a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, with a 3.3-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 5.2 million US dollars worth of brown rice, down 30.3% from 2019. The maximum value was 7.5 million US dollars in 2019, and the largest year-over-year increase was 131.9% in 2018.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates were the primary markets for brown rice exports in value terms, together representing 1.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports brown rice to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, brown rice imports into Sub-Saharan Africa increased in 2020. Imports totaled 523.5 thousand tons that year, showing a 34.1% gain compared to 2019. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 36.8%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 14.2%. The lowest import volume was 390.3 thousand tons in 2019, which also saw the largest year-over-year decline of 34.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, India, and Myanmar were the key suppliers of brown rice to Sub-Saharan Africa in volume terms. Thailand accounted for 44.9% of imports, India for 25.5%, and Myanmar for 11.6%, together making up 81.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year downturn, the value of brown rice imports into Sub-Saharan Africa rose in 2020. Imports reached 250.7 million US dollars that year, representing a substantial 37.6% increase compared to 2019. Despite this recent gain, imports decreased by 44.9% over the 2017–2020 period, averaging an 18.0% annual decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 182.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest year-over-year decline of 45.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand, India, and Pakistan were the main suppliers of brown rice to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Thailand contributed 51.3% of imports, India 24.4%, and Pakistan 7.8%, collectively accounting for 83.6% of total import value.

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

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