Rice market in Mauritania

Earlier Report Observations

Starting in 2018, the Mauritanian government launched a series of measures to increase domestic rice production, including setting a target of 340-348 thousand tons for the 2018-2019 season. These initiatives involved pest control, dam rehabilitation, waterway sanitation, and providing subsidized fertilizers and herbicides. The inauguration of an irrigation canal in the Boghé plain and projects for the Aftout Sahili canal aimed to expand irrigated area along the Senegal River. This support helped production reach 323 thousand tons in 2018, though output fell to 256 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 291 thousand tons in 2020, covering 82% of national needs.

Production surged to 428 thousand tons in 2021, driving market volume to 473 thousand tons, even as local rice prices jumped by 20% due to two consecutive poor harvests and COVID-19 disruptions. Despite increased sown areas, machinery shortages limited further growth. By 2022, production reached 395 thousand tons, meeting 89% of demand, with over 12 000 hectares of irrigated land developed. High output was maintained in 2023 at 471 thousand tons, pushing market volume to 501 thousand tons, despite inflationary pressures and unfavorable weather conditions affecting prices.

The government's sustained focus on food sovereignty has significantly reduced import reliance, with Mauritania achieving self-sufficiency in rice. Continued efforts to modernize agricultural infrastructure and develop irrigated lands support this trend, although climatic factors and water availability remain challenges.

Production rice in Mauritania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Mauritania's rice production reached 291.3 thousand tons in 2020, showing a significant increase of 14.0% compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production actually declined by 3.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.1%. The lowest production level during this period was recorded in 2019 at 255.5 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 322.6 thousand tons. The most substantial year-over-year drop happened in 2019, when production fell by 20.8%.

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

Exports rice from Mauritania

Market analysis reveals that Mauritania did not export any rice between 2017 and 2020.

Imports rice to Mauritania

Imports in kind, t

Following two consecutive years of growth, rice imports into Mauritania decreased in 2020. Imports that year totaled 48 892 tons, representing a 32.9% reduction compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 72 813 tons, while the most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 when imports grew by 42.8%.

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

From 2017 through 2020, Thailand, Pakistan, and Japan were Mauritania's primary sources for rice imports by volume. Thailand accounted for 49.0% of imports, Pakistan contributed 24.7%, and Japan supplied 11.6%. Together, these three countries represented 85.3% of all rice imports into Mauritania during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After experiencing growth for two years, the value of rice imports into Mauritania declined in 2020. Import value that year stood at 25 851 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial decrease of 57.2% compared to 2019. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 60 443 thousand US dollars, which itself represented a 55.7% increase over the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand, Pakistan, and Senegal were the main sources of rice imports to Mauritania by value. Thailand accounted for 42.6% of import value, Pakistan represented 21.9%, and Senegal contributed 14.3%. Collectively, these three countries made up 78.8% of the total value of rice imports during this four-year period.

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

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