Rice market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the rice market volume in West Africa contracted from 28.7 million tonnes to 27.5 million tonnes. This decline occurred despite local production holding steady around 20.3-20.5 million tonnes, as imports fell from 8.5 million tonnes to 7.4 million tonnes. The launch of value-chain improvement projects, like the one in Boundiali, Côte d'Ivoire in 2018, along with investments in irrigation, helped maintain production. However, the sector's informal and fragmented structure limited competitiveness, and with domestic output covering only about 60% of demand, the drop in imports directly reduced total market supply.

The market expanded sharply from 2021 onward, reaching 33.0 million tonnes by 2023. This growth was driven by rising consumption across Africa, which exceeded 40 million tonnes in 2021 due to population growth and urbanization, leading to a 20% surge in imports that year. West African production increased consistently, supported by government efforts and investments in the value chain, including irrigation and professionalization. In 2022, regional production surpassed 22.2 million tonnes, yet imports of over 9.2 million tonnes were still required to meet demand, with policies like the temporary suspension of local rice exports in Côte d'Ivoire aiming to stabilize domestic supply.

In 2024, rice imports rose to 9.8 million tonnes, indicating continued reliance on foreign supply. ECOWAS announced a $19 billion plan to achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2035, targeting capital investments and operational expenses across the region. This long-term commitment reflects ongoing efforts to reduce the import burden amid high global prices and fluctuating world production, which affected African markets.

Production rice in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

ECOWAS's rice production saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2020, the region produced 20,150 thousand tons of rice, marking a 1.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 7.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 20,477 thousand tons, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 8.2%.

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

Exports rice from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, K t

ECOWAS's rice exports experienced growth for two years before declining. In 2020, exports totaled 52 thousand tons, representing a sharp 55.5% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 29.4%, with an average annual decline of 11.0%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 118 thousand tons, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 38.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania consistently held the largest share of ECOWAS's rice exports in volume terms, accounting for 1.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

ECOWAS's rice export values rose for two years before declining. In 2020, exports amounted to 42 million US dollars, down 36.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values decreased by 4.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 66 million US dollars, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019 at 28.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Mauritania accounted for the main share of ECOWAS's rice exports in value terms, representing 2.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports rice to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, K t

ECOWAS's rice imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 7,386 thousand tons, down 7.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12.6%, with an average annual decline of 4.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 8,511 thousand tons, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 0.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Thailand, and Vietnam formed the core group of suppliers for ECOWAS's rice imports in volume terms. India accounted for 34.7% of imports, Thailand for 22.0%, and Vietnam for 12.4%, together representing 69.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

ECOWAS's rice import values showed a modest increase in 2020, reaching 3,028 million US dollars, up 1.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 16.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.9%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 2,977 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 3,741 million US dollars. The largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2019 at 20.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Thailand, and Vietnam were the main destinations for ECOWAS's rice imports in value terms. India accounted for 33.6% of imports, Thailand for 24.4%, and Vietnam for 14.6%, together absorbing 72.6% of total import flows.

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

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