Milled rice and broken rice market in Gabon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for milled rice and broken rice in Gabon experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Volume surged by 66% to 151.8 thousand tons in 2020, driven by a sharp increase in imports. However, the market contracted by 54% the following year to 69.8 thousand tons, partly due to export shipments. By 2023, volume had recovered to 103.4 thousand tons, remaining dependent on imports as domestic production stayed minimal at around 1.1 thousand tons annually.

Throughout this period, the Gabonese government implemented policies to reduce reliance on rice imports and develop local production. In 2019, the Gabonese Food Security Agency (AGASA) was created to boost local output and curb imports. The following year, authorities structured the rice sector with certified local varieties and training programs. High-productivity agricultural zones (ZAP) were established in 2021, and in 2024, the Gabon Procurement Center (CEAG) was formed to influence distribution and prices. External factors such as global food price inflation in 2022 affected consumer costs, while domestic regulations like the 2023 commercial activities law impacted trade channels.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Gabon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Gabon's production of milled rice and broken rice reached 1 411 tonnes in 2020, marking a significant 31.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 28.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 072 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 4.7% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Gabon in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Gabon

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with the peak being 6.9 times higher than the low. In 2020, Gabon's exports of milled rice and broken rice amounted to 0.0 thousand tonnes, representing a 45.9% decrease from the year before. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 272.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Togo and Benin were the primary buyers of milled rice and broken rice from Gabon, together accounting for 89.8% of total exports in volume. Other destinations each held relatively small shares of the export market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with the peak being three times higher than the low. In 2020, Gabon's exports of milled rice and broken rice were recorded at 0.0 million US dollars, down by 46.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was in 2019 at 0.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 121.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, Togo and Benin emerged as the two leading markets, together representing 85.0% of total exports in value terms. The remaining exports were distributed across a variety of other countries.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Gabon

Imports in kind, K t

Gabon's imports of milled rice and broken rice increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 150.4 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 66.7% year-over-year rise. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 86.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 23.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam were the key partners for Gabon's imports of milled rice and broken rice in volume. Thailand accounted for 43.1% of imports, Cambodia for 31.9%, and Vietnam for 22.9%, together making up 98.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Gabon's imports of milled rice and broken rice rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were approximately 129.0 million US dollars, corresponding to a 70.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 75.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.7%.

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

In 2017–2020, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam consistently served as the main sources for Gabon's imports in value terms. Cambodia represented 40.8% of imports, Thailand 39.1%, and Vietnam 18.7%, together accounting for 98.5% of total import flows.

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

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