Milled rice and broken rice market in Niger

Earlier Report Observations

The milled rice market in Niger expanded from 512 thousand tons in 2018 to 588 thousand tons in 2019, driven overwhelmingly by imported supply, which consistently accounted for the bulk of consumption while domestic production remained below 100 thousand tons. The market volume stabilized near 583 thousand tons in 2020, maintaining this heavy import reliance as a defining structural feature.

Government adoption of the National Rice Development Strategy (SNDR) in 2021 aimed to boost local output, yet total market size surged to 952 thousand tons by 2022, primarily fueled by a rise in imports to 879 thousand tons. During this period, state support measures such as fertilizer subsidies for smallholders and planned investments in harvesters, tillers, and mini‑mills provided a foundation for domestic production, which reached 73 thousand tons in 2022, though flooding in the Diffa region posed a localized constraint on yields.

A sharp contraction followed in 2023, with market volume falling 42% to 552 thousand tons. This decline was directly triggered by an official export ban on rice and ECOWAS sanctions, which disrupted trade flows and slashed imports to 480 thousand tons. The state‑owned Office des Produits Vivriers du Niger (OPVN) continued to influence distribution, later reinforced by a government‑mandated price ceiling on imported rice bags in early 2024.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Niger

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

Niger's production of milled rice and broken rice has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 91 103 tonnes, marking a significant year-over-year rise of 43.9%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 60.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 17.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 51 500 tonnes, with the largest decline that year reaching 9.5%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Niger

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume occurred in 2018, while the highest was reached in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.8 times. In 2019, Niger exported 0.0 thousand tonnes of milled rice and broken rice, representing a substantial year-over-year improvement of 80.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 36.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria and Burkina Faso together accounted for 98.4% of Niger's total exports of milled rice and broken rice in volume terms, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance exhibited significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018, while the highest was achieved in 2019, showing a 13.7-fold gap between these years. In 2019, Niger exported 0.0 million US dollars worth of milled rice and broken rice, indicating a sharp year-over-year advance of 1 265.8%. The minimum value was in 2018 at 0.0 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 90.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nigeria and Burkina Faso continued to be the primary buyers of milled rice and broken rice from Niger, together representing 97.6% of total exports in value terms, while the remainder was fragmented across other countries.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Niger

Imports in kind, K t

After increasing for two years, Niger's imports of milled rice and broken rice declined. In 2020, the country imported 492.2 thousand tonnes, a 6.3% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 17.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 525.2 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand and China jointly absorbed 81.8% of Niger's total imports of milled rice and broken rice in volume terms, with the rest of the volume spread across smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year increase, Niger's import volumes of milled rice and broken rice decreased. In 2020, the import value stood at 272.1 million US dollars, down by 0.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 37.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 274.0 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 38.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Thailand (58.0% of imports in value terms), China (19.8%), and Pakistan (9.1%) consistently served as the main sources for Niger's imports of milled rice and broken rice, together accounting for 86.9% of total flows in value terms.

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

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