Brown rice market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The brown rice market in Western Africa showed considerable fluctuation between 2018 and 2023. At the outset, state environmental agencies promoted climate-smart agriculture practices to encourage more sustainable rice cultivation methods. Market volume nevertheless declined from 5.7 million tons in 2018 to 4.8 million tons in 2019, before contracting sharply to 1.9 million tons in 2020.

A sustained recovery commenced from 2021 onward, with market volume rising to 2.0 million tons that year, expanding further to 2.5 million tons in 2022, and reaching 2.8 million tons by 2023. This rebound was supported by growing imports, which increased to 637 thousand tons in 2023, supplementing domestic production to meet demand.

Production brown rice in Western 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 Western Africa has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, production reached 1 471 K t, marking a significant decrease of 67.6% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 73.6%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 35.8%.

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

Exports brown rice from Western Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a dramatic 3 662-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Western Africa exported 0.0 K t of brown rice, representing a sharp decline of 99.5% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5.9 K t, which also saw the largest percentage increase of 107 086.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand was the leading destination for exports in kind, accounting for 1.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 12.7-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, Western Africa's brown rice exports amounted to 1.8 M $ US, reflecting a reduction of 67.8% compared to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.4 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 5.6 M $ US. The largest percentage increase occurred in 2019, reaching 1 169.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand was the leading destination in the structure of exports in value terms, representing 1.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports brown rice to Western Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of brown rice to Western Africa totaled 406.7 K t, corresponding to a sharp increase of 76.9% compared to 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 229.8 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 44.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for imports in kind were Thailand (44.2% of imports in kind), India (34.4% of imports in kind), and Myanmar (15.8% of imports in kind). Together, these three countries accounted for 94.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 4-fold variation between these years. In 2020, foreign brown rice supplies to Western Africa totaled 175.9 M $ US, indicating an uptick of 91.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 91.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 52.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Thailand and India—played the leading roles in imports in value terms, together accounting for 84.1% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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