Paddy rice market in Mauritania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Mauritanian paddy rice production benefited from substantial state investments in irrigation infrastructure, including the opening of the Boghé pilot zone canal and subsidies for fertilizers and pesticides. These measures expanded irrigated acreage and supported yields, laying a foundation for growth. Despite a drop in 2019, output climbed from 322.6 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 470.5 thousand tonnes in 2023, reflecting the cumulative effect of public agricultural development programs.

The post-2019 recovery was reinforced by protective trade policies, notably maintained high import duties on rice, which shielded local producers. Concurrent government efforts to reduce production and processing costs, alongside price regulation for paddy, improved sector competitiveness. A surge in local rice prices of about 20% in 2021 further incentivized production, pushing output to 428.4 thousand tonnes, though limited access to quality seeds temporarily affected volumes the following year.

By 2023, Mauritania achieved high rice self-sufficiency, with domestic production covering around 90% of national needs. Ongoing investments in irrigation and mechanization, including new projects launched in 2022 and 2023, sustained growth. The consistent policy focus on food sovereignty and stable market supply underpinned the expansion in market volume throughout the period.

Production paddy rice in Mauritania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Mauritania produced 291.3 thousand tons of paddy rice, marking a 14.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall decreased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 255.5 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 322.6 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 20.8%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Mauritania

Based on market assessment, Mauritania did not export any paddy rice from 2017 to 2020.

Imports paddy rice to Mauritania

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2.0 tons and peaked in 2020 at 466.6 tons, representing a 233-fold difference. In 2020, cross-border shipments of paddy rice to Mauritania surged by 23,232.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 99.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Italy were the dominant sources for paddy rice imports to Mauritania, together accounting for 81.5% of total flows, while other countries held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports in value terms hit their minimum in 2019 at 0.6 thousand US dollars and their maximum in 2020 at 281.9 thousand US dollars, showing a 437-fold variation. In 2020, cross-border shipments of paddy rice to Mauritania saw a sharp rise of 43,559.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 98.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States was the leading source for paddy rice imports in value terms, holding a 71.3% share of total flows, with the remainder distributed across other markets in a fragmented manner.

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

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