Paddy rice market in Uganda, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Uganda's paddy rice production contracted in 2019 as farmers grappled with low prices from increased competition against duty-free Tanzanian imports and faced chronic challenges like drought and pests that reduced yields. A turning point came in 2020 with the introduction of new, drought-resistant rice varieties such as WDR-73, supported by training and quality seeds from initiatives like the JICA-backed PRiDe project, which enabled a sharp recovery in output.

Steady market growth continued from 2021 through 2023, primarily driven by rapidly rising domestic consumption linked to urbanization and shifting dietary preferences. Although a 2021 cabinet resolution banned rice farming in wetlands to protect the environment, weak enforcement and parallel government investments in irrigation allowed cultivation to persist. Farmers further expanded planted acreage in response to reliable demand and favorable prices compared to other crops.

The market's evolution was also shaped by trade policy adjustments and local innovation. The Uganda Revenue Authority's removal of import duty on Tanzanian rice in July 2022 heightened competition for local producers. In response, national research progressed on locally-bred aromatic rice varieties to curb imports, while private sector players like Pearl Rice Ltd expanded commercial farming and processing operations, adding new capacity to the sector.

Production paddy rice in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Uganda produced 275.0 thousand tonnes of paddy rice in 2020, marking a significant increase of 64.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 45.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 13.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 167.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline occurring that same year at 16.2%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Uganda

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their highest point in 2017 and fell to their lowest in 2018, with a 5.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Uganda's paddy rice exports totaled 33 tonnes, representing a sharp decrease of 49.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 13 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 82.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 420.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Sudan remained the dominant partner for Uganda's paddy rice exports in kind, accounting for 76.8% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a 53-fold swing between these years. In 2020, Uganda's cross-border shipments of paddy rice amounted to 25 thousand US dollars, indicating a steep contraction of 83.2% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 150 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 2 642.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kenya and South Sudan played the leading roles in Uganda's paddy rice exports in value terms, together accounting for 99.1% of total flows, while the remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

Paddy rice deliveries to Uganda declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Uganda imported a total of 9 222 tonnes of paddy rice, equivalent to a sharp decrease of 55.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 56%, which corresponds to an annualized decline rate of 24.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 23 442 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 11.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Tanzania was the key partner for Uganda's paddy rice imports in kind, accounting for 95.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their highest level in 2019 and their lowest in 2020, reflecting a 3.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Uganda imported 1 893 thousand US dollars of paddy rice, which is 68.1% lower than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 932 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of Uganda's paddy rice imports in value terms was dominated by Tanzania, which accounted for 89.5% of total flows, while other destinations were relatively small.

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

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