Market research

Rice market in Middle Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Middle Africa" region includes following countries:

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Earlier Report Observations

The rice market in Middle Africa began the period with significant growth, reaching 3.7 million tons in 2019, a notable increase from 3.1 million tons the year before. This expansion coincided with the launch of a major hydroelectric infrastructure project at the Boali2 falls, supported by international development funds and presidential impetus for national reconstruction, which aimed to improve living conditions and economic activity.

Market volume stabilized near 3.7 million tons in 2020 before resuming growth to 3.8 million tons in 2021, driven by a consistent rise in domestic rice production.

A peak market volume of 4.1 million tons was achieved in 2022, a year which saw the initiation of a digitalization program for state revenue collection in key ministries, supported by the European Union to enhance public financial management. The market then moderated to 3.9 million tons in 2023 as import volumes adjusted.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Middle Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production rice in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Middle Africa's rice production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 107 thousand tons of rice, marking a 6.0% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 17.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.2%	4.7%	6.0%	5.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports rice from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Rice exports from Middle Africa have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 9 thousand tons, representing a 41.4% drop year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 40.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 15.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 13.3% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.3%	(9.8%)	(41.4%)	(15.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria and Uganda were the top buyers of rice from Middle Africa, together accounting for 21.9% of total exports by volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Rice export values from Middle Africa peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, export value totaled 4.4 million US dollars, a sharp decrease of 58.7% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 13.5 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 79.2% also in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	79.2%	(21.7%)	(58.7%)	(16.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2017–2020 period, Nigeria and Uganda consistently represented the largest share of rice exports from Middle Africa in value terms, making up 18.5% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports rice to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, rice imports into Middle Africa declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 1 586 thousand tons, down 8.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 43.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.7%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 1 728 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 41.0% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.7%	41.0%	(8.2%)	12.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, China, and India were the main sources of rice imports into Middle Africa by volume. Thailand accounted for 68.7% of imports, China for 8.3%, and India for 5.9%, together representing 82.9% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Rice import values into Middle Africa have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 851.8 million US dollars, up 0.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 68.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	34.8%	24.0%	0.7%	18.9%

Source: SHEV.io

In the 2017–2020 period, Thailand, India, and China were the largest suppliers of rice to Middle Africa in value terms. Thailand accounted for 68.5% of imports, India for 5.9%, and China for 5.7%, together forming 80.1% of total import value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io