Milled rice and broken rice market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Kenya's milled rice market volume grew from 678 thousand tonnes to 709 thousand tonnes, supported by a steady rise in domestic production from 80 thousand tonnes to 121 thousand tonnes. Regulatory actions in 2018, including stricter safety checks and public warnings after high aflatoxin levels were found in imported rice, highlighted ongoing food safety concerns without significantly curbing import volumes needed to meet consumption.

Local processing capacity received a boost in 2021 with the installation of a modern rice-milling machine in Kisumu, helping production reach 136 thousand tonnes. The following year, production fell to 88 thousand tonnes, but a major policy shift authorizing duty-free import of 600 thousand tonnes of milled rice ensured imports rose to 675 thousand tonnes, sustaining the overall market volume at 763 thousand tonnes. A parliamentary probe into large rice import contracts during this period also brought transparency issues in supply chains to light.

The market expanded sharply to a record 1,068 thousand tonnes in 2023, driven by a surge in imports to 936 thousand tonnes and a recovery in domestic output to 134 thousand tonnes. This growth coincided with the introduction of the Kenya Rice Bill, which established licensing for milling operations, and a government guarantee to purchase all locally produced rice within 30 days, providing stable demand for farmers. Looking ahead, state plans announced in 2024 to increase land under rice cultivation and release new seed varieties target long-term growth in domestic production.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

Kenya's production of milled rice and broken rice has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 120.9 K t, marking a 14.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 53.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.2%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Kenya

Exports in kind, K t

The export market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.9-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Kenya exported 0.4 K t of milled rice and broken rice, which was 53.7% lower than in 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.9 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, reaching 187.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Kenya's exports in kind were Uganda, accounting for 33.6% of exports, Rwanda with 31.4%, and Vietnam at 20.1%. Together, these three countries made up 85.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market in value terms experienced an unstable trend over this period. Exports were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their peak in 2018, showing a 7.2-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Kenya exported 0.2 M $ US worth of milled rice and broken rice, reflecting a slight decrease of 2.9% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 0.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 72.6%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, surging by 623.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania was the leading buyer of milled rice and broken rice from Kenya in value terms, with a 37.6% share of exports. Rwanda followed with 26.9%, and Uganda accounted for 20.5%. Collectively, these three markets represented 84.9% of Kenya's total export value.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Kenya

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Kenya's imports of milled rice and broken rice amounted to 588.0 K t, a 3.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 5.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The largest drop was recorded in 2018 at 4.1%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 1.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan and Thailand were the primary suppliers of milled rice and broken rice to Kenya, together accounting for 85.4% of total imports in kind. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Kenya's imports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 0.2 M $ US worth, down by 1.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.5%, with an average annual reduction of 2.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Pakistan and Thailand were the main sources for Kenya's imports in value terms, jointly representing 81.3% of total flows. The rest was divided among other markets.

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

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