Paddy rice market in Mozambique

Earlier Report Observations

The paddy rice market in Mozambique experienced moderate growth from 170 thousand tons in 2018 to 180 thousand tons in 2019, followed by a slight contraction to 175 thousand tons in 2020. This early period was shaped by government targets to reduce the rice deficit and boost domestic output. In 2019, the launch of the Rice Value Chain Financing Line for the Zambezi Valley, backed by 500 million meticais, provided critical funding to strengthen agribusiness and processing. Concurrent investments in mechanization worth 160 million meticais in Zambezia and Sofala began enhancing production efficiency, though the overall market volume dipped slightly in 2020.

A sharp expansion occurred in 2021 and 2022, driving the market volume up by 40% to 246 thousand tons. The reactivation of the processing plant at the Chókwè agro-industrial complex played a central role by purchasing local rice surpluses, which resolved longstanding market access problems for farmers. Productivity gains were accelerated by the introduction of Chinese hybrid seed technology in Gaza and a more than doubling of certified seed use to over 5 thousand tons. These efforts were reinforced by a technology-transfer partnership with the Thai private sector and the ongoing SUSTENTA program, which aimed for self-sufficiency by 2030 and encouraged further area expansion.

In 2023, the market volume fell significantly to 161 thousand tons, near the 2018 level. This decline took place despite continued positive developments in certain regions: production in Nicoadala exceeded its 2025 target, and the Chókwè plant maintained higher purchase prices to incentivize growers. Additionally, the government promoted the establishment of new private-sector processing facilities in Gaza province to secure a reliable outlet for locally produced rice.

Production paddy rice in Mozambique

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Mozambique produced 175.3 thousand tonnes of paddy rice in 2020, marking a slight contraction of 2.5% compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 170.1 thousand tonnes, while the peak was recorded in 2019 at 179.8 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 3.6%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2019, rising by 5.7%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Mozambique

Exports in kind, t

Paddy rice exports from Mozambique increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 87.8 tonnes, representing a substantial year-over-year growth of 285.1%. From 2018 to 2020, exports surged by 14 432.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 425.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Malawi were the key export partners for Mozambique in terms of volume. South Africa accounted for 50.4% of exports, Zimbabwe for 27.0%, and Malawi for 18.1%. Together, these three countries represented 95.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Paddy rice deliveries from Mozambique rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the export value reached 43.4 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic uptick of 65.4% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, exports increased by 5 687.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 286.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Malawi, and Zimbabwe formed the main cluster of markets for Mozambique's paddy rice exports in value terms. South Africa held a 36.2% share, Malawi 26.6%, and Zimbabwe 20.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 82.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Mozambique

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a 5.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Mozambique imported 73.1 tonnes of paddy rice, indicating a significant improvement of 247.7% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 21.0 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 73.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Asia (not elsewhere specified), and China led the structure of Mozambique's paddy rice imports by volume. The United States accounted for 40.6% of imports, Asia for 27.7%, and China for 16.1%. Together, these sources represented 84.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their highest value in 2018 and their lowest in 2020, showing a 7.5-fold gap. In 2020, paddy rice import volumes for Mozambique amounted to 48.3 thousand US dollars, indicating a decrease of 5.7% versus the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 362.0 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 85.9%, while the largest increase was observed in 2018, rising by 68.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China and the United States were the core markets for Mozambique's paddy rice imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 82.7% of total flows. Other destinations had comparatively modest shares.

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

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