Rice market in Mali

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, Mali's rice market volume initially grew to 3.5 million tonnes in 2019 before declining to 3.0 million tonnes in 2021. The earlier period benefited from long-term government investments, particularly the Rice Initiative that expanded irrigated areas in the Office du Niger region, which accounts for 45% of national production, helping to sustain domestic output.

The market rebounded strongly in 2022, reaching 3.6 million tonnes, and remained stable in 2023. This recovery was supported by government measures to incentivize producers through guaranteed purchase prices, even as the ECOWAS trade embargo in early 2022 limited access to key agricultural inputs and global surges in input prices posed challenges. Enhanced distribution networks, such as Mum-Distribution's collaborations with local farmers, and sector innovation workshops contributed to market stabilization in 2023.

Production rice in Mali

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Mali ranked as the 24th largest producer of rice globally.

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Mali's rice production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 3 010 K t of rice, which is 5.8% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 11.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 196 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 17.0%.

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

Exports rice from Mali

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with an 11.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Mali's rice exports totaled 0.0 K t, representing a dramatic year-over-year increase of 522.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K t, and the maximum in 2018 at 0.1 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 91.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mali's rice exports in kind were heavily concentrated on Senegal, which accounted for 78.9% of total flows, with other countries making up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports varied significantly, dropping to a low in 2019 and reaching a high in 2018, with a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Mali's rice exports totaled 61 K $ US, marking a dramatic 250.3% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 17 K $ US, and the maximum in 2018 at 278 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 93.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1 027.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, two leading markets—Guinea and Senegal—together accounted for 95.9% of Mali's total rice exports in value terms, with the remainder distributed across various other countries.

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

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

Imports rice to Mali

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes dropped to their minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2020, showing a 2.5-fold shift over this period. In 2020, Mali imported a total of rice, representing a 21.6% year-over-year uptick. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 130.4 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 53.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 102.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Mali's rice imports in kind were India (52.8% of imports), Thailand (13.4%), and Pakistan (12.4%), which together accounted for 78.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Mali's rice import volumes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 79 331 K $ US, marking a robust 23.7% uptick from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12.8%, with an average annual decline of 4.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 48 263 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 46.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 32.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (55.5% of imports in value terms), Thailand (14.8%), and Pakistan (9.7%) led as the top suppliers of rice to Mali, with their combined share reaching 80.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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