Paddy rice market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

Egypt's paddy rice market volume stood at 3.1 million tons in 2018, a year when the country was noted for its self-sufficiency and high-yield, disease-resistant varieties. A major expansion occurred in 2019, with the market volume surging by over 50% to 4.8 million tons. This jump was directly fueled by a substantial increase in cultivated area, which grew from 1.3 million to 1.8 million feddans, coupled with improved productivity.

After stabilizing at 4.8 million tons in 2020, supported by farmers exceeding planned acreage due to previous profitability and the adoption of efficiency-boosting techniques like dry direct seeding and laser land leveling, the market volume contracted to 4.2 million tons in 2021. A modest recovery to 4.3 million tons followed in 2022, aided by a production surplus of around 400 thousand tons and a positive outlook from the USDA.

The market then experienced its most significant growth in 2023, leaping by 45% to reach 6.2 million tons. This sharp increase was driven by the cultivation of approximately 1.1 million feddans in dedicated provinces using advanced agronomic practices, including widespread adoption of dry direct seeding and laser leveling to enhance land quality and yield.

Production paddy rice in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Egypt ranked as the 17th largest producer of paddy rice between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Egypt produced 4 804 K t of paddy rice, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 3.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 124 K t, marking the largest decline of 37.0% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production rising by 53.8%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Egypt

According to compiled industry data, Egypt did not export any paddy rice from 2017 to 2020.

Imports paddy rice to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at approximately 1.1 t, representing a 97.8% decline compared to 2019. The peak occurred in 2017, with a 152-fold difference between these years. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 98.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 1 887.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan was the primary source for paddy rice imports into Egypt, accounting for 79.5% of total imports in kind, with other markets contributing a smaller share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Import value hit its lowest in 2020 at 0.7 K $ US, a dramatic drop of 97.4% from the previous year. The peak was in 2017, showing a 148-fold variation between these extremes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 98.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 1 376.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Pakistan dominated Egypt's paddy rice imports in value terms, representing 79.0% of total flows, with the remainder spread across several smaller markets.

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

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