Rice market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The rice market in Eastern Africa expanded from 12.6 million tonnes in 2018 to 18.0 million tonnes in 2022, before declining to 13.5 million tonnes in 2023. This growth was supported by government policies aimed at boosting domestic production, such as Tanzania's import restrictions introduced in 2018 and 2020 to reduce cheap Asian rice imports, which encouraged local farmers. Additionally, regional initiatives like Uganda's Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan and training programs by JICA under the PRiDe project provided farmers with quality seeds and better techniques, enhancing yields and contributing to higher output.

Several countries introduced improved rice varieties to address climate challenges and increase productivity. In Tanzania, TARI Ifakara released new climate-resilient varieties like TARI RIC1-3, while Kenya saw paddy rice production double from 2018 to 2023 due to the adoption of drought-tolerant upland rice varieties and sustainable farming practices promoted by IRRI Kenya. These efforts, along with projects tackling irrigation and post-harvest losses, helped raise production volumes across the region.

Trade dynamics also shifted, with Kenya approving duty-free rice imports in 2024 to meet domestic demand, reflecting ongoing adjustments between local production and market needs. Despite Tanzania's position as a leading African exporter, its export capacity remained constrained by factors such as productivity and market access, influencing regional supply fluctuations.

Production rice in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Rice production in Eastern Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 10 130 thousand tonnes of rice, marking a 17.3% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 44.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 13.0%.

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

Exports rice from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, rice exports from Eastern Africa to foreign markets declined. In 2020, the region exported 125 thousand tonnes of rice, representing a 33.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 188 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 45.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for the largest share of rice exports from Eastern Africa, making up 40.5% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Rice export revenues from Eastern Africa have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 199 million US dollars, showing an 84.4% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export revenues surged by 225.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 48.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the leading buyer of rice from Eastern Africa in value terms, accounting for 45.8% of total export revenues.

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

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

Imports rice to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Eastern Africa imported 3 439 thousand tonnes of rice in 2020, reflecting a modest 6.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 217 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 24.3%. In contrast, the highest import volume was in 2018 at 4 252 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 20.8% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Pakistan, and Thailand were the primary sources for rice imports into Eastern Africa, accounting for 39.7%, 31.0%, and 9.4% of import volumes, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 80.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, rice imports into Eastern Africa totaled 1 546 million US dollars, indicating a notable 23.1% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import values increased by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 1 256 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 13.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Pakistan, and Thailand were the main sources for rice imports into Eastern Africa in value terms, contributing 31.7%, 29.8%, and 16.4% of total import values, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 77.9% of total import flows.

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

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