Paddy rice market in Burkina Faso

Earlier Report Observations

The paddy rice market volume in Burkina Faso rose from 349.8 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 448.4 thousand tonnes in 2020, driven primarily by continued expansion of domestic production. This growth was supported by irrigation and processing development projects, such as those in the Samandéni valley, and reinforced by the regulatory role of the state-owned company SONAGESS in securing producer prices. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and temporary export bans by major rice-supplying countries underscored the risks of import dependency, further incentivizing local output and consumption.

Market volume stabilized at around 451 thousand tonnes in 2021, supported by state initiatives for food self-sufficiency and the introduction of a guaranteed minimum price for paddy rice to protect farmer incomes. A slight dip to 439 thousand tonnes occurred in 2022, partly due to post-harvest losses estimated at 13.9% of production. However, the opening of the new 'Faso Dembé' rice mill in Bama that year, alongside broader efforts to develop processing infrastructure and promote local rice quality, contributed to a subsequent market expansion, with volume reaching 507.7 thousand tonnes in 2023.

Production paddy rice in Burkina Faso

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Burkina Faso's paddy rice production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 451.4 thousand tons, marking a significant 19.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 38.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.5%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Burkina Faso

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed considerable volatility during these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 390 tons, then surged to a peak of 3,136 tons in 2020, representing an 8-fold increase between these two years. The 2020 figure reflects a dramatic 703.3% rise compared to 2019. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 55.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Burkina Faso in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Guinea, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire were the primary destinations for paddy rice exports by volume. Guinea accounted for 32.9% of exports, Benin for 26.9%, and Côte d'Ivoire for 22.6%. Together, these three countries made up 82.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Exports in value terms reached their lowest level in 2019 at 570 thousand US dollars, then climbed to a peak of 1,752 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a 4.4-fold difference between these years. The 2020 value represents a substantial 207.5% increase from 2019. The most significant drop was recorded in 2018, with a decline of 56.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal were the main markets for paddy rice exports by value. Guinea held a 51.3% share, Côte d'Ivoire 24.3%, and Senegal 12.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 88.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Burkina Faso

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes fell to a low of 5 tons in 2019, after peaking in 2017, with a 1,612-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, imports rebounded to 117 tons, a sharp increase of 2,233.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when imports dropped by 97.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Burkina Faso in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Japan were the leading sources of paddy rice imports by volume, together representing 91.1% of total import flows. Other trading partners accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Import values reached a trough of 1 thousand US dollars in 2019, following a peak in 2017, with a 4,186-fold variation between these years. In 2020, imports rose to 28 thousand US dollars, a dramatic increase of 2,432.8% from 2019. The steepest decline was recorded in 2019, at 99.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States dominated paddy rice imports by value, accounting for 72.0% of total flows. Other partners held relatively smaller shares in the import market.

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

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