Rice market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

The rice market volume in Côte d'Ivoire contracted from 3.5 million tons in 2018 to 2.6 million tons in 2020. During this phase, the government created the Rice Sector Development Agency (ADERIZ) to structure the informal and fragmented industry, while a mechanized production system already accounted for 30% of national output. In 2020, a substantial 150 billion FCFA investment program was launched under the National Development Plan, targeting self-sufficiency by 2025.

From 2021, the market recovered, reaching 3.3 million tons by 2023. This rebound was propelled by the implementation of the National Rice Development Strategy (SNDR 2020‑2030), which included putting ten new paddy processing units into operation, each with a capacity of 5 tons per hour. These additions boosted domestic production, which rose from 1.5 million tons in 2020 to over 2 million tons in 2023.

Despite global supply‑chain pressures from the COVID‑19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine that raised logistics and raw material costs, market volume continued to grow. The expansion was further supported by increasing consumer preference for locally grown, aromatic rice varieties and by the development of certified seed production, which aimed to supply 4,200 tons by the end of 2023. Together, these measures strengthened the domestic supply chain and reduced reliance on imports.

Production rice in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire ranked 29th globally in rice production.

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Côte d'Ivoire's rice production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 481 thousand tonnes of rice, marking a significant drop of 21.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 30.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports rice from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, K t

Rice exports from Côte d'Ivoire increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 30 thousand tonnes, up 59.4% from 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall exports decreased by 4%, averaging an annual decline of 1.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 thousand tonnes, which represented the largest decline of 63.6% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 65.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Mali were the key partners for Côte d'Ivoire's rice exports in volume terms. Burkina Faso accounted for 47.7% of exports, Ghana for 26.1%, and Mali for 16.3%. Together, these three countries represented 90.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The rice export market in value terms showed an unstable trend during this period. The lowest point was in 2018, with exports valued at 5.2 million US dollars, marking the largest decline of 41.8% that year. In 2019, exports rebounded with the largest increase of 71.4%. By 2020, exports peaked at 14.2 million US dollars, a sharp rise of 59.8% from 2019, resulting in a 2.7-fold difference between the 2018 trough and the 2020 peak.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Mali were the main destinations for Côte d'Ivoire's rice exports in value terms. Ghana led with 37.6% of exports, followed by Burkina Faso at 35.0%, and Mali at 14.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 86.5% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports rice to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, K t

Rice imports into Côte d'Ivoire declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 110 thousand tonnes, down 17.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 17.3%, with an annualized decline rate of 6.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 497 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 11.5% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, India, and China dominated Côte d'Ivoire's rice imports in volume terms. Vietnam accounted for 27.5% of imports, India for 23.6%, and China for 19.7%. Together, these three countries made up 70.8% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Rice imports into Côte d'Ivoire in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 550.3 million US dollars, a moderate decrease of 9.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 2.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 0.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 691.8 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 22.4% that year. In 2019, imports experienced the largest decline of 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, India, and Thailand were the core markets for Côte d'Ivoire's rice imports in value terms. Vietnam led with 33.3% of imports, followed by India at 22.5%, and Thailand at 17.9%. Combined, these three countries represented 73.7% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020