Rice market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The North African rice market volume expanded significantly from 3 693 thousand tons in 2018 to 5 639 thousand tons in 2019. This initial growth was supported by the expansion of rice cultivation areas across Africa and regional initiatives such as ECOWAS's program for sustainable rice production, which aimed to boost local output. Additionally, the promotion of packaged and labeled rice by farmer organizations in West Africa helped enhance the perceived value of local rice and stimulated consumer demand.

After receding to 5 351 thousand tons in 2020 and 4 772 thousand tons in 2021, the market recovered to 4 870 thousand tons in 2022 and surged sharply to 6 971 thousand tons in 2023. The substantial increase in 2023 was driven primarily by continued government investments in research and development, particularly in Egypt, which led to improved yields and production volumes. This period also saw global factors like India's restrictions on non-basmati rice exports and elevated world prices due to the war in Ukraine, which incentivized greater domestic production and reduced reliance on imports.

In 2024, the market continues to be shaped by sustained investments in advanced irrigation systems and agricultural practices in Egypt, alongside the ongoing influence of global rice price fluctuations on import strategies and local production incentives.

Production rice in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Rice production in Northern Africa increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 4 921 K t of rice, showing no significant change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production declined by 2.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 232 K t. That year also saw the largest decline of 36.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 52.1%.

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

Exports rice from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a 12-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa exported 1.5 K t of rice, which is 71.9% lower than the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5.2 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2018, reaching 310.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Gambia, and Ghana were the main buyers of rice from Northern Africa, accounting for 36.9%, 7.0%, and 6.2% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 50.2% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Export values peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with an 11.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of rice exports from Northern Africa stood at 0.5 M $ US, marking an 85.6% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 3.8 M $ US. The largest increase was in 2018, at 415.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Benin were the key partners for rice exports from Northern Africa in value terms, with shares of 50.7%, 4.2%, and 3.0%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 57.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports rice to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Africa's rice imports totaled 431.2 K t, down 40.7% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.3%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 726.5 K t. The largest increase also occurred in 2019, at 57.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, China, and Thailand were the three main sources of rice imports to Northern Africa, together accounting for 71.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa imported rice worth 0.5 M $ US, representing a steep 53.4% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 472.6 M $ US. The largest increase also occurred in 2019, at 74.9%.

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

In 2017–2020, India, China, and Thailand were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of rice imports to Northern Africa in value terms, with shares of 41.6%, 20.7%, and 12.9%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 75.3% of total import flows.

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

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