Paddy rice market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

Tanzania's paddy rice market volume rose from 3.4 million tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 4.5 million tonnes in 2020, supported by government policies to boost production and the implementation of the National Rice Development Strategy Phase II. Production remained above 4 million tonnes in 2021 and 2022, though market volume dipped to 3.6 million tonnes in 2023 amid institutional bottlenecks in the value chain and export efficiency challenges.

State-owned entities like the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) launched large tenders, such as the 34 000 tonne paddy rice purchase in 2023, to meet regional demand. Improved rice varieties and government initiatives to assure farmer markets helped maintain production, while persistent issues like low yields, limited irrigation, and post-harvest losses affected market stability. External demand from neighboring regions and exchange rate fluctuations also influenced market dynamics throughout the period.

Production paddy rice in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Tanzania ranked as the 22nd largest producer of paddy rice between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Tanzania's paddy rice production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4 528 thousand tons of paddy rice, marking a 30.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 84.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 22.7%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

Paddy rice exports from Tanzania expanded for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 19 725 tons, a 138.1% surge compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports soared by 7 765 667.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4 166.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda was the primary destination for Tanzania's paddy rice exports, accounting for 84.3% of total exports in volume. Other destinations played a much smaller role during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Paddy rice exports from Tanzania continued to rise for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 5 743 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 185.8% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 2 815 115.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 2 942.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda and Rwanda together accounted for 97.3% of Tanzania's paddy rice exports in value terms. The remaining share was distributed among other destinations, each contributing a smaller portion.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend over this period. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania imported 1 ton of foreign paddy rice, a 93.7% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 152.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong were the key partners for Tanzania's paddy rice imports in volume. India accounted for 30.0% of imports, the United Arab Emirates for 19.6%, and Hong Kong for 16.7%, together representing 66.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports varied significantly, with a 13.8-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Tanzania imported paddy rice worth 2 thousand US dollars, a 72.7% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 24 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 92.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 428.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and the United Arab Emirates were the two leading markets for Tanzania's paddy rice imports in value terms, together accounting for 83.9% of total imports. The remaining volume was spread across a wide range of other countries.

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

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