Market research

Paddy rice market in Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The African paddy rice market volume grew consistently from 34 425 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 43 165 thousand metric tons in 2023. This expansion was driven by rising domestic production, which increased from 34 273 thousand tons to 43 148 thousand tons over the same period, while imports fell sharply from 157 thousand tons to 24 thousand tons.

In value terms, the market experienced fluctuations, peaking at $49.8 billion in 2019 before declining to $40.4 billion in 2020 and $39.7 billion in 2021, then recovering to $49.9 billion by 2023. These movements coincided with a significant drop in import value from $84 million to $21 million, reflecting changing trade patterns and possible price effects.

For 2024, intra-African trade in agricultural products remained significant despite market access challenges. Fertilizer input costs saw mixed trends, with international prices for some types falling while urea rose, affecting production expenses. Additionally, drought conditions linked to El Niño in South Africa impacted agricultural yields, which could have indirect effects on regional paddy rice supply.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production paddy rice in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Africa's paddy rice production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the continent produced 37 603 thousand tons, marking a moderate 3.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.9%	5.8%	3.7%	4.5%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Africa's paddy rice output was 40 410 million US dollars, showing a significant 18.9% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 11.4%, averaging a 3.9% annual decline. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 49 804 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 10.2% also recorded that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.9%)	10.2%	(18.9%)	(3.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paddy rice from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The data points to irregular shifts, highlighting a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 3.3 thousand tons, then surged to a peak of 10.3 thousand tons in 2020, representing a 3.1-fold increase. This jump in 2020 amounted to a 207.9% rise compared to 2019. The largest decline of 38.8% was observed in 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	30.5%	(38.8%)	207.9%	35.0%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Exports reached their lowest value in 2019 at 4 573 thousand US dollars, then climbed to a high of 11 022 thousand US dollars in 2020, reflecting a 2.4-fold gap. In 2020, paddy rice exports from Africa saw a sharp year-on-year increase of 141.0%. The largest decline of 36.3% was recorded in 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	24.4%	(36.3%)	141.0%	24.1%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paddy rice to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa's cross-border shipments of paddy rice declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 45.2 thousand tons, a steep 42.0% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 70.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -33.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 156.9 thousand tons. The largest decline of 50.4% occurred in 2019, while the largest increase of 1.4% was seen in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.4%	(50.4%)	(42.0%)	(33.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, India, and Thailand were the main sources for Africa's paddy rice imports by volume. The United States accounted for 38.8% of imports, India for 15.2%, and Thailand for 5.8%. Together, these three countries made up 59.8% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Africa imported paddy rice worth 48 178 thousand US dollars, up 24.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 42.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 38 590 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 84 472 thousand US dollars. The largest decline of 54.3% occurred in 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.9%	(54.3%)	24.8%	(16.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, India, and Thailand led Africa's paddy rice imports by value. The United States contributed 26.8% of import value, India 25.8%, and Thailand 6.3%. Combined, these three countries represented 58.9% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io