Rice market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

Uganda's rice market volume showed significant variability from 2018 to 2023. Initial market size was supported by government measures such as allowing duty-free imports of brown rice and eliminating import duties on Tanzanian rice, which facilitated supply. However, production faced challenges including flooding at the Mbale Sino Industrial Park, which affected investment and environmental conditions.

Market volume peaked at 831.0 thousand tonnes in 2021, then declined in the following two years as imports fell sharply. This occurred alongside consistent growth in domestic production, driven by the commercialization of perennial rice varieties and improved aromatic varieties developed by NARO and JICA. These new varieties offered higher yields and disease resistance, encouraging farmers to expand rice acreage due to ready market access and favorable prices compared to other crops.

In 2023, further production gains were supported by CNOOC Uganda's Livelihood Restoration Program, which introduced high-yielding rice varieties and provided training to farmers. Despite dry spells that pressured prices, the expansion of local cultivation helped offset reduced imports, leading to a more self-sufficient rice market.

Production rice in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Uganda's rice production reached 275.0 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a significant 64.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 45.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 167.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 16.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Uganda's rice output was valued at 141.8 million US dollars, showing a strong 66.3% rise compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 50.7%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 14.7%. The minimum value occurred in 2019 at 85.3 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 16.2%.

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

Exports rice from Uganda

Exports in kind, K t

Uganda's rice exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume stood at 36.1 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp 28.5% year-on-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 33.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan—dominated Uganda's rice exports in volume, together accounting for 97.3% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Rice exports from Uganda declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 18.6 million US dollars, indicating a steep 27.8% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 30.9%, with an average annual decline of 11.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan were the key markets for Uganda's rice exports in value terms, together making up 97.1% of total flows, with the rest spread across other countries.

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

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

Imports rice to Uganda

Imports in kind, K t

Uganda's rice imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 294.4 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial 48.4% gain compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import volume rose by 40.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.9%. The lowest import level was recorded in 2018 at 195.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania and Pakistan together captured 88.6% of Uganda's rice imports in volume, with the remaining flows thinly spread across other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Uganda's rice imports grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 105.9 million US dollars, showing a robust 24.4% increase over the past year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 14.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 76.9 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 16.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan and Tanzania were the leading sources for Uganda's rice imports in value terms, together accounting for 83.3% of total imports, while the rest was dispersed across a wide range of other countries.

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

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