Rice market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

Senegal's rice market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2020, starting at 2.4 million tons. The market was supported in 2018 by sustained growth in local production and the entry of new processing companies, which increased overall supply. A significant drop in volume occurred in 2019, but the market rebounded strongly in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic raised fears of shortages, prompting increased imports and domestic production to ensure food security.

From 2021 onward, the market volume showed consistent growth, peaking at 2.8 million tons in 2022 before a slight stabilization in 2023. In 2024, the Senegalese government implemented a consumer price cap for broken rice and introduced a per-kilogram subsidy for local rice to enhance its competitiveness, alongside substantial financial efforts to lower consumer prices and strengthen market monitoring.

Production rice in Senegal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Senegal produced 1 350 K t of rice, marking a 16.8% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 33.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 10.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 19.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of rice output in Senegal reached 546.8 M $ US, representing a 21.2% rise from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 44.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 5.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 25.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Senegal in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports rice from Senegal

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year upward trend, Senegal's rice export volume declined. In 2020, exports totaled 60 K t, showing a sharp drop of 53.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 28.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.6%. The peak was in 2019 at 130 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 34.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mali dominated Senegal's rice exports in kind, accounting for 87.6% of the total, with the remainder distributed among a diverse group of smaller countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Senegal's rice export value declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 24.4 M $ US, reflecting a dramatic 52.0% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 22.6%, with an annualized rate of 8.2%. The highest value was in 2019 at 50.9 M $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 42.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, Mali was the primary market for Senegal's rice exports in value terms, making up 86.8% of the total, while other destinations contributed a smaller share.

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

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

Imports rice to Senegal

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Senegal imported 1 127 K t of rice, indicating a dramatic 26.3% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.5%, with a CAGR of 1.5%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 892 K t, and the highest was in 2018 at 1 285 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 30.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Senegal's rice imports in kind were India (45.5% of imports), Thailand (18.3%), and Brazil (11.6%), together accounting for 75.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Senegal's imported rice value was recorded at 427.7 M $ US, showing a 26.1% year-over-year increase. The lowest value was in 2019 at 339.3 M $ US, and the highest was in 2018 at 479.1 M $ US. The largest decline was in 2019, with a decrease of 29.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, India (42.3% of imports in value terms), Thailand (21.5%), and Brazil (11.7%) were the key partners for Senegal's rice imports, collectively representing 75.4% of total flows.

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

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