Paddy rice market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Paddy rice market volume in Sub-Saharan Africa grew consistently from 31 082 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 36 857 thousand tonnes in 2023. This expansion was supported by regional efforts to double production by 2018, which included investments in irrigation infrastructure such as the Office du Niger in Mali. The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement in 2019 facilitated intra-regional trade, while the adoption of solar pumps for irrigation boosted yields.

In value terms, the market experienced a sharp decline to 35 122 million US dollars in 2020 due to global supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected import flows and prices. Recovery followed, with production value reaching 42 938 million US dollars by 2023, partly driven by India's export restrictions on rice in 2022 that increased reliance on local output, and the indirect impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on grain prices.

On the demand side, consumption rose by over 6% annually, fueled by urbanization and shifting consumer preferences. Local producers in countries like Benin and Cameroon developed organic and premium rice segments, while professionalization of the value chain and enhanced focus on quality and traceability strengthened the domestic industry.

Production paddy rice in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Sub-Saharan Africa's paddy rice production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 32 682 thousand tons, marking a 4.2% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 17.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Sub-Saharan Africa's paddy rice production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 35 122 million US dollars, representing an 18.4% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 43 053 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 6.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports paddy rice from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 3 331 tons and peaked in 2020 at 10 257 tons, resulting in a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, paddy rice deliveries from Sub-Saharan Africa surged by 207.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 38.8% decrease.

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

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed considerable volatility over these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 4 573 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 11 022 thousand US dollars, creating a 2.4-fold gap. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's paddy rice exports were valued 141.0% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 36.3% drop.

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

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior was marked by volatility during this timeframe. Import volumes dropped to their minimum in 2019 at 18 861 tons and climbed to their maximum in 2018 at 46 375 tons, showing a 2.5-fold shift. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported approximately 43 146 tons of paddy rice, which was 128.8% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 59.3% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, paddy rice imports to Sub-Saharan Africa were distributed across numerous markets. India accounted for 12.1% of imports in kind, Thailand for 10.4%, and Pakistan for 4.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 26.9% of total import flows, indicating a broad diversification of sources.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market followed an unstable trend throughout this period. Import values fell to their lowest point in 2019 at 15 704 thousand US dollars and rose to their highest in 2020 at 45 986 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 2.9-fold fluctuation. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported paddy rice worth 192.8% more than in the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 56.6% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Thailand, and Brazil were the leading suppliers of paddy rice to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms, contributing 23.3%, 9.9%, and 6.6% of imports respectively. However, their combined share amounted to just 39.8% of total import value, highlighting a diversified country structure with many other sources involved.

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

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