Milled rice and broken rice market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the milled rice and broken rice market in Western Africa expanded from 12.5 million tonnes to 15.1 million tonnes. This growth was driven by strong state and ECOWAS policies supporting local production to reduce import dependency, coupled with international projects providing inputs and storage infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated this trend, as supply chain disruptions reinforced the focus on regional self-sufficiency through initiatives like the Ricowas project for climate-resilient rice cultivation.

Between 2021 and 2023, market volume continued to rise, reaching 18.0 million tonnes in 2022 before stabilizing at 17.7 million tonnes in 2023. Investments in agricultural mechanization and the introduction of improved rice varieties by research institutes such as AfricaRice and IRRI significantly boosted domestic yields. Public support for local production remained strong, while new segments like fortified rice emerged, and climatic factors such as water scarcity continued to influence output. In 2024, ongoing efforts include the African Development Bank's funding for irrigated rice cultivation in Gambia and the launch of the AGGRi Alliance's second phase to disseminate improved varieties to smallholders, sustaining the momentum for production capacity.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Western Africa

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

Milled rice and broken rice production in Western Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 8 117 K t, marking a significant 61.1% year-over-year growth. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 91.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 24.1%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Western Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, milled rice and broken rice exports from Western Africa experienced a decline. In 2020, exports totaled 50 K t, representing a sharp 55.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 29.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.1%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 111 K t, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 42.4%.

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

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

After two years of gains, Western Africa's milled rice and broken rice export value declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 38 M $ US, reflecting a 36.9% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 6.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.1%. The highest value was achieved in 2019 at 60 M $ US, and the largest year-over-year increase was in 2018, at 23.8%.

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

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 milled rice and broken rice to Western Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Milled rice and broken rice imports into Western Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 7 015 K t, down by 10.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 10.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.5%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 187 K t, with the largest year-over-year increase also occurring in 2018, at 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Thailand, and Vietnam were the largest suppliers of milled rice and broken rice to Western Africa, accounting for 34.6%, 21.1%, and 12.9% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 68.5% of total imports in kind during this period.

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

Milled rice and broken rice import values into Western Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2 863 M $ US, showing a 2.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 12.8%, with an annualized decline of 4.5%. The peak value was in 2018 at 3 573 M $ US, while the largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2019 at 17.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with an 8.8% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, India, Thailand, and Vietnam were the primary sources of milled rice and broken rice imports into Western Africa in value terms, contributing 33.2%, 23.0%, and 15.4% of total import value, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 71.6% of total imports in value terms over this period.

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

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