Paddy rice market in Gabon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the paddy rice market volume in Gabon experienced significant fluctuations, primarily driven by changes in import levels. In 2018, the market reached 2 389 t, with substantial imports of 629 t. That year, Gabon joined the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) to develop the national rice sector, though rice was reportedly not prioritized in official agricultural plans. In 2019, imports plummeted to 22 t, causing the market volume to drop to 1 747 t. A temporary recovery in imports to 553 t in 2020 pushed the market back up to 2 341 t, but imports fell again to just 2 t in 2021, reducing the market volume to 1 760 t.

The market stabilized from 2022 onward, with volumes around 1 758 t to 1 769 t, as imports nearly ceased. This shift aligned with government policies to boost domestic output. In 2022, the Gabonese Food Security Agency (AGASA) implemented an emergency plan to increase local production and reduce imports of staple foods like rice, targeting at least a 5% annual import reduction. In 2023, the government issued PME certifications to Gabonese companies, facilitating their access to public procurement, which supported local rice producers. Production remained steady at about 1 758 t in 2022 and edged up to 1 768 t in 2023.

Production paddy rice in Gabon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Gabon produced 1,789 tonnes of paddy rice, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 3.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.9%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Gabon in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports paddy rice from Gabon

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their peak in 2019 at 2 tonnes and fell to a low of 0.2 tonnes in 2020, representing a dramatic 91.3% decrease. This resulted in an 11.4-fold difference between the two years. The largest increase was observed in 2019, with a surge of 406.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of paddy rice from Gabon were Togo, accounting for 41.7% of exports in kind, Sao Tome and Principe with 29.5%, and Benin at 28.8%. Together, these three countries made up 100.0% of Gabon's total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms peaked in 2019 at 0.5 thousand US dollars and dropped to a low of 0.1 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a sharp reduction of 76.9% from the previous year. This represents a 4.3-fold swing between the two years. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 31.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sao Tome and Principe and Benin were the dominant partners in Gabon's paddy rice exports by value. Sao Tome and Principe accounted for 60.5% of total flows, while Benin contributed 20.3%, together forming 80.8% of total exports in value terms. Other partners accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Gabon

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their highest point in 2017 and their lowest in 2019, with a 51-fold difference between these levels. In 2020, foreign paddy rice supplies to Gabon totaled 553 tonnes, which represents a substantial increase of 2,421.5% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 22 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred that same year, with a drop of 96.5%.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, Thailand and Vietnam remained the principal sources for Gabon's paddy rice imports in kind, jointly accounting for 92.8% of total flows. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports in value terms varied by a factor of 64, with a high in 2017 and a low in 2019. In 2020, paddy rice imports into Gabon amounted to 346.1 thousand US dollars, showing a significant rise of 3,501.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 9.6 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that year, with a decrease of 98.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand and Vietnam were the key partners for Gabon's paddy rice imports by value. Thailand accounted for 50.1% of total flows, while Vietnam contributed 42.6%, together forming 92.8% of total imports in value terms. Other partners accounted for the remaining volume.

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

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