Market research

Paddy rice market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Paddy rice production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo started at 1.3 million tonnes in 2018, while the sector faced challenges including low standardization of production units, poor road conditions, and high reliance on imports. By 2020, action plans were set to develop the rice sector with a target of producing over 1.4 million tonnes of paddy, laying a foundation for growth.

From 2021, the introduction of training for small producers in intensive rice cultivation and increased support for cooperatives directly boosted yields. The promotion of the local Nyange Nyange quality label and ongoing projects to structure the rice value chain further drove production upward, reaching 1.8 million tonnes by 2023.

In 2024, these efforts were reinforced by government announcements on agricultural mechanization and seed distribution, alongside a major investment project to process 700,000 tonnes of agricultural products annually in Congo Central province, indicating continued momentum for the rice sector.

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. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Democratic Republic of the Congo
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2023, $ US
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, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo 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, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo 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, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo 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, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo

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

Paddy rice production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 476 thousand tons of paddy rice, marking a 7.1% gain compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 21.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.1%	7.1%	7.1%	6.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paddy rice from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, t

Exported volumes of paddy rice from the Democratic Republic of the Congo declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 5.5 tons of paddy rice, representing a sharp fall of 86.3% compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports decreased by 93.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 60.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	(55.8%)	(86.3%)	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was the key and almost sole market for paddy rice exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of paddy rice exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 3.3 thousand US dollars worth of paddy rice, which is 1.4% smaller than in 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports decreased by 88.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 50.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	(87.9%)	(1.4%)	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, 99.8% of the total value of paddy rice exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo was directed to Uganda, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paddy rice to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Volumes dropped to a minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2017, showing an 11.3-fold shift. In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo imported 205.6 tons of paddy rice, a steep improvement of 193.9% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 24.4 tons, with the largest decline of 91.2% occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(91.2%)	186.3%	193.9%	(9.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, Pakistan, and Congo were the main destinations for paddy rice imports to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, together accounting for 60.3% of total imports in kind. Specifically, China contributed 26.7%, Pakistan 20.0%, and Congo 13.6%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Volumes hit a low in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 7.5 times. In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo imported approximately 76.4 thousand US dollars worth of paddy rice, indicating a modest increase of 9.3% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 27.7 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 86.7% occurring that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 152.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(86.7%)	152.3%	9.3%	(28.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates remained the main markets for paddy rice imports in value terms to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, jointly taking 77.6% of total flows. China accounted for 43.2%, Pakistan for 27.5%, and the United Arab Emirates for 6.9%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io