Paddy rice market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The paddy rice market in Middle Africa experienced steady growth in production and market volume from 2018 to 2020. Initial efforts to address the sector's informal and fragmented nature, such as value chain improvement projects in Côte d'Ivoire, began to lay a foundation. This period was notably marked by the launch of national rice development strategies, including Côte d'Ivoire's SNDR 2020-2030, which aimed to boost output through integrated irrigation projects, high-yield seeds, and mechanization, directly supporting increased local production.

Growth accelerated from 2021 to 2023, reinforced by ambitious strategic commitments like Niger's plan to multiply paddy rice production tenfold by 2030. The expansion was primarily driven by increased investment in artificial irrigation and the spread of contract farming between millers and smallholders, which provided stable income and incentivized higher yields. For example, Kenya's paddy harvest rose by 22% in 2023 due to new rice programs and expanded irrigated area. Concurrently, rapid urbanization in the region spurred consumption demand, further sustaining market growth.

By 2024, the positive trend continued with CEMAC reporting a 21% production increase to 774,300 tonnes, largely attributable to significant growth in Chad. In Côte d'Ivoire, the government entrusted ten industrial paddy rice processing units to private operators, enhancing local transformation capacity under the SNDR 2024-2027. Overall, the market's expansion has been consistently supported by sustained investments in irrigation, development of improved seed varieties, and policies promoting self-sufficiency and local processing.

Production paddy rice in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Middle Africa's paddy rice production has grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, the region produced 2,107 thousand tonnes of paddy rice, marking a 6.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 17.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.6%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Middle Africa exported 2,238 tonnes of paddy rice, representing a sharp increase of 332.9% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 76.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 353.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria and Uganda were the top markets for paddy rice exports from Middle Africa, together accounting for 52.3% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 82 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 1,760 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 22-fold variation. In 2020, paddy rice exports from Middle Africa amounted to 222 thousand US dollars, showing a strong increase of 171.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2019 at 95.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 379.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, Nigeria and Uganda led as the primary markets for paddy rice exports in value terms from Middle Africa, with Nigeria contributing 27.4% and Uganda 1.4% of total export values.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

Imports of paddy rice into Middle Africa have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports stood at 1,063 tonnes, reflecting a significant drop of 18.8% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 66.6%, with an average annual decline of 30.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Vietnam, and France were the main suppliers of paddy rice to Middle Africa, accounting for 32.1%, 18.8%, and 10.3% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 61.2% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of paddy rice in value terms have fallen for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports were recorded at 973 thousand US dollars, indicating a dramatic decrease of 25.1% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 57.8%, with an average annual decline of 25.0%. The maximum value was in 2018 at 2,575 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 49.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 11.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Thailand, Vietnam, and China formed the core group of markets for paddy rice imports in value terms into Middle Africa, contributing 25.5%, 16.9%, and 13.0% of total import values, respectively. Together, they accounted for 55.4% of total flows.

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

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