Rice market in Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The rice market in Eswatini experienced notable volume shifts between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 36 937 tons, consumption rose to a peak of 43 293 tons in 2020, then retreated for two years before reaching a new high of 44 598 tons in 2023.

Domestic production remained minimal and stable at around 1 000 tons annually throughout the period. Consequently, market size movements were almost entirely driven by changes in import volumes, which fluctuated between approximately 36 000 and 43 600 tons.

The market's strongest single-year expansion occurred in 2023, adding over 5 100 tons. This followed a contraction phase from 2021 to 2022, when volumes fell by a combined 3 900 tons from the 2020 peak.

Production rice in Eswatini

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

In 2019, Eswatini's rice production hit its lowest point at 800 tonnes. The following year, in 2020, production rebounded to 1 000 tonnes, marking a 25.0% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest production level during this timeframe was recorded in 2018, also at 1 000 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 20.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eswatini in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports rice from Eswatini

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility throughout the observed period. Exports peaked in 2017 and then fell to their lowest point in 2018, resulting in a 6.4-fold fluctuation between these two years. In 2020, Eswatini exported 58 tonnes of rice, representing a sharp decline of 84.3% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of rice exports in kind was overwhelmingly dominated by a single market: South Africa, which accounted for 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The highest export value was recorded in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2018, creating a 6.9-fold gap between these two years. In 2020, rice exports from Eswatini totaled 15 thousand US dollars, down by 85.5% compared to 2019.

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

During 2017–2020, South Africa effectively concentrated the value of rice exports from Eswatini, capturing 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports rice to Eswatini

Imports in kind, t

Imported rice volumes in Eswatini increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 42 351 tonnes. This represented a solid advance of 12.0% compared to the previous year. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 20.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the primary destination for rice imports in kind, accounting for 87.2% of total import flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of minor trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. The lowest import value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018, showing a 2.9-fold variation between these extremes. In 2020, rice shipments to Eswatini from abroad amounted to 21 663 thousand US dollars, up by 18.7% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 47 957 thousand US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2019, with a drop of 61.9%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 186.7%.

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

In the period 2017–2020, South Africa and India together dominated rice imports in value terms, accounting for 93.1% of total import flows. Other destinations made smaller individual contributions to the import structure.

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

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