Rice market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

The rice market in Sudan saw significant growth from 2018 to 2023, with volume increasing from 104.6 thousand tons to 166.8 thousand tons. A sharp 45% surge in 2019 to 151.7 thousand tons was driven by a 74% rise in imports, while domestic production showed modest gains. After a contraction in 2020 and 2021, market volume recovered and reached new highs in 2022 and 2023.

Domestic rice production declined steadily after 2020, falling from 51.2 thousand tons to 21.9 thousand tons in 2023. This drop was primarily caused by the impact of armed conflict, which disrupted farming activities and led to an estimated 35% of rural households in northern Sudan suspending operations. To compensate, imports of rice grew substantially, supported in 2023 by rising global rice prices that increased domestic prices and encouraged additional shipments.

Earlier in the period, a government program to expand rice cultivation in White Nile state launched in 2018 helped maintain production levels. By 2024, agricultural conditions worsened due to escalating conflict, new US sanctions, and a sharp increase in irrigation costs. Rice imports in 2024 decreased to 121 thousand tons but remained elevated, underscoring the market's reliance on foreign supply.

Production rice in Sudan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Rice production in Sudan increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Sudan produced 51 200 tonnes of rice, marking a 6.7% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 45 000 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 6.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sudan in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports rice from Sudan

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Rice exports from Sudan peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a fluctuation of 7 201 times between these years. In 2020, rice exports totalled 0.0 thousand tonnes, down by 100.0% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 108.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly concentrated, with Benin and Russia jointly accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Rice deliveries from Sudan declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.1 thousand US dollars, which is 100.0% lower than in 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports decreased by 100%, equating to an annualized rate of 93.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Benin and Russia were the core markets for exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 81.9% of total flows, while other destinations had comparatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports rice to Sudan

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The highest volume was observed in 2019, while the lowest occurred in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.8 times. In 2020, rice deliveries to Sudan amounted to 79.4 thousand tonnes, showing a strong decrease of 23.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 104.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 74.2%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, India and China were the main sources for imports in kind, jointly taking 84.4% of total flows, with the residual share distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sudan's rice imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Sudan imported approximately 30 426 thousand US dollars of rice, amounting to a decrease of 27.4% over the past year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 23.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 43 611 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the main source for rice imports to Sudan, taking 70.1% of total imports in value terms, while the remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

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