Rice market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

Kenyan rice production more than doubled from 112.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 229.1 thousand tons in 2023. This sustained increase was propelled by the introduction of new high-yield varieties like Komboka and the expansion of irrigation schemes, supported by government initiatives to raise the area under cultivation and collaborations with international partners such as Korea for climate-resilient seeds.

The total rice market volume grew from 705.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 163.6 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was driven by urbanization, shifting dietary preferences, and annual consumption growth of 12%. To meet rising demand, the government repeatedly authorized duty-free rice imports, notably in 2023 when imports surged to 935.9 thousand tons, partly due to Kenya's exemption from India's rice export ban.

Regulatory developments including the Rice Bill 2023 established the Kenya Rice Board to oversee the industry, while the Kenya Bureau of Standards enforced stricter labeling and packaging rules. The government strengthened structured marketing through the National Cereals and Produce Board and Kenya National Trading Corporation to support local farmers, although challenges like high input costs, pest outbreaks, and competition from cheaper imports remained.

Production rice in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Kenya's rice production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 180.9 thousand tons of rice, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 12.6%. From 2017 to 2020, production surged by 122.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 30.6%.

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

Exports rice from Kenya

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for rice from Kenya showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 0.4 thousand tons, reflecting a sharp decline of 52.4% compared to the previous year. In contrast, exports peaked in 2018 at 6.2 thousand tons, representing a 14.2-fold difference between the high and low points. The largest annual decrease occurred in 2019 with an 85.2% drop, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 381.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was the primary buyer of Kenyan rice, accounting for 79.5% of total exports in volume. Other trading partners held relatively smaller shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of rice exports from Kenya displayed volatility over the observed timeframe. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 0.3 million US dollars, then rose to 0.3 million US dollars in 2020, showing a 13.9% increase from the previous year. The peak was reached in 2018 at 2.1 million US dollars, creating a 7.5-fold gap between the high and low years. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with an 86.6% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 398.1% surge.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda formed the key group of partners for Kenya's rice exports in value terms. Uganda led with 54.1% of total export value, followed by Tanzania at 18.9% and Rwanda at 13.5%. Together, these three countries represented 86.6% of Kenya's total rice export flows.

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

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

Imports rice to Kenya

Imports in kind, K t

Kenya imported 604.5 thousand tons of rice in 2020, a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 3.3%, averaging an annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 599.3 thousand tons, with the largest annual drop of 4.1% occurring that year. The biggest increase was in 2019 with a 1.5% rise.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Pakistan and Thailand were the dominant sources for Kenya's rice imports in volume, jointly making up 84.8% of total flows. The remaining imports were distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Kenya's rice import value increased in 2020, reaching 246.8 million US dollars, up 0.6% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 245.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan and Thailand served as the core markets for Kenya's rice imports in value terms, together accounting for 80.9% of total flows. Other destinations held comparatively modest shares.

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

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