Paddy rice market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Senegalese government launched the National Rice Self-Sufficiency Program (PNAR), targeting 1.6 million tons of paddy rice production, and introduced an import regulation mechanism tied to purchases of local rice. While market volume dipped slightly in 2019, substantial investments in irrigation and mechanization in the Senegal River Valley and Casamance, coupled with state support through agricultural credits and fertilizer subsidies, laid the groundwork for a sharp rebound. By 2020, increased farm mechanization—including the distribution of tractors and rice hullers—alongside continued backing from the Agricultural Development and Rural Entrepreneurship Support Program (PADAER), helped drive the market volume to 1.35 million tons.

Growth continued in the following years, sustained by public initiatives. In 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture delivered a significant batch of equipment to the Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA) to boost output, while a project backed by the Islamic Development Bank and the World Bank aimed at cutting rice imports by strengthening production, processing, and marketing, including the construction of 25 storage warehouses. These measures, alongside modernization of hydraulic infrastructure by the state-owned Saed, contributed to the Senegal River Valley exceeding 420 thousand tons of paddy production in 2023. Furthermore, the Senegalese Food Chain Company (SFA) collected a record 20 thousand tons, helping push the total market volume to 1.52 million tons in 2023.

In 2024, international rice prices fell by about 30% from mid-October, prompting the government to set homologated prices and mobilize volunteers to enforce compliance in the domestic market.

Production paddy rice in Senegal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Senegal produced 1 350 thousand tons of paddy rice in 2020, representing a significant year-over-year increase of 16.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 33.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 10.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 4.2%. In contrast, the largest increase was recorded in 2018, with production rising by 19.3%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 600 times. In 2020, Senegal's paddy rice export volume reached 300 tons, marking a dramatic increase of 59,940.0% compared to 2019. The minimum value was 1 ton in 2019, and the largest decline was 99.4%, also recorded in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guinea-Bissau and Gambia were the dominant destinations for Senegal's paddy rice exports in kind, jointly accounting for 99.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Export volumes declined to their lowest level in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 859 times. In 2020, Senegal exported 234.8 thousand US dollars worth of paddy rice, which is 85,843.0% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was 0.3 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest decline was 99.7%, also recorded in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guinea-Bissau and Gambia together formed the main group of buyers for Senegal's paddy rice in value terms, with a share of 99.8% of total exports.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes varied 20 times from the low in 2017 to the high in 2019. In 2020, Senegal's paddy rice imports totaled 106 tons, down by 89.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 037 tons, and the largest increase was 1,131.0% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of imports in kind was marked by the predominance of Thailand, which absorbed 84.2% of total flows, along with a large number of minor partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes dropped to a minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, representing a 33-fold shift. In 2020, Senegal's paddy rice import volume came to 37.3 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp loss of 93.1% versus the previous year. The maximum value was 538.3 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest increase was 1,878.4% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand remained the main market for Senegal's paddy rice imports in value terms, with a share of 89.1% of total flows, while the rest of the volume was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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

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