Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in ECOWAS began a strong expansion from 2018, with volume rising from 7.98 million tonnes to 11.14 million tonnes by 2020. This initial surge was supported by concrete measures to boost domestic processing, including the deployment of solar-powered milling machines and the introduction of nine climate-smart rice varieties with yields up to 8 tonnes per hectare. Simultaneously, the government's revised National Rice Development Strategy set a clear target for self-sufficiency, while fluctuations in imported rice prices influenced trade flows and contributed to overall market growth.

Growth continued through 2021 and 2022, with the market reaching 13.18 million tonnes by the latter year. The launch of the National Rice Investment Action Plan addressed critical gaps in irrigation, input access, and post-harvest management, directly enhancing production capacity. At the regional level, ECOWAS adopted a Rice Roadmap for 2025‑2035, aligning member states' efforts toward self-sufficiency and providing a framework for increased investment in the rice value chain.

By 2023, market volume had climbed to 13.54 million tonnes, though the pace of growth moderated. Ongoing reviews of the benchmark policy and persistent challenges in processing infrastructure and quality testing shaped the market environment. In 2024, the entry of a new major player, Jospong Rice, aimed at import substitution, alongside continued promotion of improved seed varieties, indicated sustained efforts to strengthen the domestic supply base.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

ECOWAS has seen its production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 6 981 K t, marking a significant 72.5% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 85.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 22.9%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed considerable volatility during these years. Import levels varied dramatically, with a 14-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low point in 2018. In 2020, ECOWAS recorded cross-border shipments of semi-milled or wholly milled rice at 7 K t, reflecting a modest year-on-year increase of 4.2%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 1 K t. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 59.6%, while the largest surge was in 2019, with a remarkable 1 243.9% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania and India were the top two destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 0.6% and 0.5% of total flows, respectively. Together, they made up 1.1% of all exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations over this period. Exports reached their highest point in 2019 and their lowest in 2018, with a fourfold difference between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS's export volume of semi-milled or wholly milled rice amounted to 11 M $ US, showing a slight decrease of 1.9% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 12 M $ US. The most significant decline happened in 2018, falling by 40.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019, soaring by 302.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mauritania and India together accounted for 1.4% of total exports in value terms, positioning them as the primary markets for semi-milled or wholly milled rice from ECOWAS.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, ECOWAS experienced a decline in its imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice. In 2020, import volume stood at 4 168 K t, representing a 6.3% decrease year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports overall increased by 30.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.4%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 4 449 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 26.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Thailand, and China were the main sources for imports in kind of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to ECOWAS, with shares of 34.9%, 20.2%, and 14.8%, respectively. Combined, they represented 69.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ECOWAS's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from abroad totaled 1 935 M $ US, indicating a strong 11.7% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 48.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.1%. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 2.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, climbing by 36.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, India, Thailand, and Vietnam emerged as the key markets for imports in value terms, with shares of 33.0%, 21.4%, and 17.4%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 71.9% of total import flows.

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

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