Market research

Paddy rice market in Nigeria

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, Nigeria's paddy rice market showed modest fluctuations. Production increased slightly from 8.40 million tonnes in 2018 to 8.44 million tonnes in 2019, then declined to 8.17 million tonnes in 2020 before recovering to 8.34 million tonnes in 2021.

The market expanded further in 2022 and 2023, with production reaching 8.50 million tonnes and then 8.90 million tonnes. This growth was supported by a consumer shift toward branded local rice, accelerated by e-commerce and modern retail, which boosted demand. Additionally, the reopening of the Nigeria-Niger border in early 2023 eased paddy shortages, allowing mills to reopen and increasing supply.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Nigeria
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production paddy rice in Nigeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Nigeria ranked as the 14th largest producer of paddy rice from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Following two consecutive years of growth, Nigeria's paddy rice production experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 8,172 thousand tonnes, marking a 3.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production increased by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 8,436 thousand tonnes, while the most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 7.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.3%	0.4%	(3.1%)	1.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paddy rice from Nigeria

Exports in kind, t

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Sierra Leone was virtually the exclusive buyer of paddy rice from Nigeria, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Sierra Leone maintained its position as the dominant and nearly sole destination for Nigeria's paddy rice exports in value terms, holding a 100.0% share.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paddy rice to Nigeria

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed considerable volatility during these years. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 38 tonnes, then surged to a peak in 2020 at 10,505 tonnes, representing a staggering 27,469.1% increase year-over-year. The difference between these years was 276-fold. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, falling by 99.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	194.9%	(99.4%)	27 469.1%	70.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, India and Brazil together accounted for 89.8% of Nigeria's total paddy rice imports in volume terms, with the remaining share distributed among other countries, each contributing smaller individual amounts.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values showed an unstable pattern throughout this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 70 thousand US dollars, followed by a dramatic rise to 13,345 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing an extraordinary 18,871.8% increase compared to the previous year. This represents a 190-fold difference between the two years. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 98.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	347.6%	(98.9%)	18 871.8%	111.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, two countries—India and Brazil—accounted for the majority of Nigeria's paddy rice imports in value terms, while other markets played less significant individual roles.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io