Paddy rice market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Paddy rice production in West Africa maintained a steady upward trajectory from 2018, supported by strong state and ECOWAS engagement in the sector. Professionalization of producers and processors, alongside guaranteed access to land and water, provided a solid foundation. Specific projects, such as Taiwan-supported initiatives in Burkina Faso offering inputs and storage, and Senegal's partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency for its national rice development strategy, contributed to stable output.

Following a period of stabilization around 2020, production growth accelerated markedly from 2021. This surge was primarily driven by the expansion of contract farming between millers and smallholder farmers, ensuring supply, coupled with increased investments in artificial irrigation to boost yields. Concurrently, regional production programs gained momentum, most notably in Côte d'Ivoire with the launch of its rice revolution plan and a dedicated 26 million USD promotion program aimed at seed access, perimeter development, and processing.

By 2023, production exceeded 24 million tons, with continued expansion fueled by large-scale initiatives. The development included the official handover of contracts for ten paddy-to-white-rice processing units in Côte d'Ivoire and the introduction of new product segments like fortified rice in Kenya. Support from institutions such as the African Development Bank for irrigated rice cultivation in The Gambia and the AGGRi Alliance's provision of improved seed varieties to smallholders further solidified the region's production capacity.

Production paddy rice in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Western Africa's paddy rice production volume declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 20 732 K t, but then fell slightly by 1.4% to 20 441 K t in 2020. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 7.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 8.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of paddy rice output in Western Africa was 17 865 M $ US, remaining largely unchanged from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, the value of production grew by 19.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 17 870 M $ US. The largest year-on-year increase took place in 2018, when the value surged by 18.6%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

Paddy rice exports from Western Africa showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 050 t, then rebounded sharply to 2 680 t in 2020, marking a dramatic increase of 155.3% compared to the previous year. Over the years from 2017 to 2019, exports varied by a factor of 3.3, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 45.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Congo, Madagascar, and Turkey were the main destinations for paddy rice exports from Western Africa in volume terms. Congo accounted for 3.0% of exports, while Madagascar and Turkey each contributed 0.7%. Together, these three countries represented 4.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of paddy rice exports from Western Africa exhibited significant volatility over the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 905 K $ US, then jumped to 2 342 K $ US in 2020, representing a substantial year-over-year increase of 158.8%. Between 2017 and 2019, export values swung by a factor of 3, with the sharpest decline recorded in 2019 at 44.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Congo and Madagascar were the leading partners for paddy rice exports from Western Africa in value terms. Together, they accounted for 6.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Paddy rice imports into Western Africa experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Imports peaked in 2018 at 17 145 t, then dropped to their lowest point in 2019 at 3 330 t, representing a dramatic decline of 80.6%. In 2020, imports rebounded to 12 766 t, marking a substantial increase of 283.4% compared to the previous year. The swing from the peak in 2018 to the trough in 2019 was 5.1-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, paddy rice imports into Western Africa in volume terms were distributed across numerous countries. India was the largest source, accounting for 18.7% of imports, followed by Brazil at 15.3% and the United States at 11.2%. Together, these three countries represented 45.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of paddy rice imports into Western Africa showed significant volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2 428 K $ US, then surged to their peak in 2020, representing an intense year-over-year rise of 520.6%. The swing from the trough in 2019 to the peak in 2020 was 6.2-fold, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 82.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, India, Brazil, and the United States were the key partners for paddy rice imports into Western Africa in value terms. India accounted for 29.5% of imports, Brazil for 18.7%, and the United States for 9.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 58.1% of total import flows.

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

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