Rice market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa's rice market volume fluctuated against a backdrop of heavy import reliance, with over 90% of consumption met through imports. The market size fell from 965 thousand tons in 2018 to 859 thousand tons in 2019, then recovered to 914 thousand tons in 2020 before easing to 886 thousand tons in 2021. Domestic production remained minimal at around 3 thousand tons annually throughout the period.

The market expanded notably in 2023, reaching 1 066 thousand tons, following a modest increase to 895 thousand tons in 2022. This growth coincided with global supply constraints, as world rice production declined due to unfavorable weather in key exporting countries like India, Vietnam, and Pakistan. Tight global stocks and prices exceeding $450 per tonne sustained pressure on import-dependent South Africa, prompting higher import volumes to meet demand despite elevated costs. Consumer behavior adjusted to price sensitivity amid these conditions.

Looking ahead, global rice prices began moderating in 2024 as production prospects improved in major exporting nations, and India eased export restrictions. However, the depreciation of the South African rand against major currencies raised import costs, offsetting some benefits for local consumers. These exchange rate movements and international price trends continue to shape the cost and availability of rice in the domestic market.

Production rice in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of rice, 2018-2021

World map of production of rice, 2018-2021

In 2021, South Africa produced 3 081 tonnes of rice, showing little change from 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2019, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

South Africa's rice production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 2 072 thousand US dollars, representing a 15.3% year-on-year rise. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 794 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 8.5% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports rice from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Rice export volumes from South Africa increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 122 thousand tonnes, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 111 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 2.1% also in 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2020, at 9.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Botswana, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe led South Africa's rice export structure in volume terms. Botswana accounted for 33.6% of exports, Eswatini for 31.9%, and Zimbabwe for 11.3%, together representing 76.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Rice exports from South Africa increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, South Africa exported 82.1 million US dollars worth of rice, indicating a robust uptick of 15.6% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 13.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 64.9 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 10.4% also in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Botswana, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe were the main destinations for South Africa's rice exports in value terms. Botswana accounted for 41.5% of exports, Eswatini for 24.5%, and Zimbabwe for 10.7%, together absorbing 76.8% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports rice to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, South Africa's rice import volume reached 1 005 thousand tonnes, indicating a small decrease of 2.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 968 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 10.0% also in 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2020, at 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Thailand accounted for 72.5% of South Africa's total rice imports in volume terms, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, South Africa's rice import value was 502.9 million US dollars, marking a controlled decline of 8.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 3.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 449.1 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 548.3 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 13.5%, and the largest increase was in 2020, at 22.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Thailand and India played the leading roles in South Africa's rice imports in value terms, together accounting for 92.7% of total flows, while the rest was distributed among other destinations.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021