Milled rice and broken rice market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The market for milled rice and broken rice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded from 847 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 067 thousand tons in 2020. This growth occurred against a backdrop of high import dependency, which made the market sensitive to global price fluctuations, and ongoing armed conflicts in the eastern provinces that repeatedly constrained farmers' access to land and inputs, creating seasonal supply disparities.

Market volume continued to rise, reaching 1 137 thousand tons in 2021, supported by public investment directed through the National Agricultural Investment Programme (PNIA) and the National Rice Development Strategy (SNDR), which aimed to bolster domestic production. In 2022, the market stabilized at 1 127 thousand tons, a period that saw the launch of the second phase of the SNDR (2022-2030) to enhance the competitiveness of local rice and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which introduced both new market opportunities and increased competition from Asian rice imports.

A further increase to 1 179 thousand tons was recorded in 2023. This was partly driven by the promulgation of a new agricultural law, amending the 2015 framework to promote sustainable land use and strengthen the rice value chain. An additional boost came from rising demand from the craft beer sector, which accounts for approximately 16% of national rice production, while persistent Covid-19 related supply chain disruptions and high international prices continued to influence market conditions.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo ranked 29th globally in production volume for milled rice and broken rice, establishing itself as one of the world's leading producers during this period.

Top producers of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

Milled rice and broken rice production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 865.5 K t, marking a 7.1% increase from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, production rose by 24%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this timeframe. Exports peaked in 2019 at 1.1 K t, then fell sharply to their lowest point in 2020 at 0.0 K t—a dramatic 391-fold decline. In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo exported 0.0 K t of milled rice and broken rice, representing a sharp 99.7% drop from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 1 625.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was overwhelmingly the main destination for the Democratic Republic of the Congo's exports of milled rice and broken rice in kind, accounting for 95.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export values reached their maximum in 2019 at 202 K $ US, then dropped to a minimum in 2020 at 1 K $ US—a 151-fold decrease. In 2020, milled rice and broken rice deliveries from the Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled 1 K $ US, reflecting a sharp 99.3% decline compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 590.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was dominated by Uganda and Pakistan, which together accounted for 99.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, K t

Milled rice and broken rice imports into the Democratic Republic of the Congo increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 201.0 K t, representing a solid 12.0% gain compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 128%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand and China were the primary suppliers of milled rice and broken rice to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, together accounting for 80.1% of total imports, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of milled rice and broken rice into the Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to 44 663 K $ US, reflecting a modest 4.6% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 27.2%, with a CAGR of 8.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 34 982 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 46 820 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 33.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand (62.3% of imports in value terms), China (12.0%), and Pakistan (11.5%) remained the leading sources in the country structure of imports in value terms, collectively accounting for 85.8% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020