Rice market in Benin

Earlier Report Observations

The rice market volume in Benin showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. It began at 2 154 thousand tons in 2018, fell to 1 930 thousand tons in 2019, and then dropped sharply to 1 293 thousand tons in 2020.

A rebound followed, with volume climbing to 1 925 thousand tons in 2021 and reaching 2 116 thousand tons in 2022. During that year, the Beninese government introduced a subsidy of 30 CFA francs per kilogram of paddy rice for local farmers and set a reference price of 160 CFA francs/kg for the harvest to strengthen the competitiveness of domestic rice production.

Market volume then moderated to 1 970 thousand tons in 2023.

Production rice in Benin

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Benin produced 411.6 thousand tons of rice, marking a 1.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 47.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 459.3 thousand tons. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 11.6%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, with a 64.8% rise.

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

Exports rice from Benin

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.0 thousand tons and peaked in 2019 at 2 thousand tons, representing a 3 782 180-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Benin exported 1 thousand ton of rice, which was a sharp decline of 50.7% from the previous year. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018, with a 100.0% drop, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2019, surging by 378 217 900.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Niger and the United Arab Emirates accounted for the majority of Benin's rice exports in volume terms, with other markets playing a less significant role.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports bottomed in 2018 at 0.0 million US dollars and peaked in 2019 at 0.4 million US dollars, with a 17 892-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Benin's rice exports amounted to 0.2 million US dollars, reflecting a 57.9% decrease compared to the prior year. The largest decline was in 2018, with a 99.8% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 1 789 071.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Niger and Burkina Faso were the primary destinations for Benin's rice exports in value terms, together accounting for 85.1% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports rice to Benin

Imports in kind, K t

Benin's rice imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 883 thousand tons of rice, representing a significant year-on-year decrease of 42.1%. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 54.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 23.3%.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, India (43.2% of imports in volume), Thailand (33.5% of imports in volume), and the United Arab Emirates (15.5% of imports in volume) were the key partners for Benin's rice imports, collectively making up 92.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Rice imports to Benin declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Benin imported approximately 393 million US dollars worth of rice, down by 31.3% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 63.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 28.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and Thailand remained the main suppliers of rice to Benin in value terms, with a combined share of 80.9% of total imports, while the remainder was fragmented across other countries.

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

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