Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Western Africa grew substantially from 8.1 million tons in 2018 to 13.8 million tons in 2023. This expansion was primarily fueled by robust annual demand growth exceeding 6%, a trend consistently highlighted across the period, which kept imports high to meet consumption.

Local production more than doubled, increasing from 4.1 million tons to 7.8 million tons. This surge was driven by the adoption of improved seeds and investments in water management infrastructure, alongside sustained government and regional support. Early initiatives, such as a Taiwan-backed project providing inputs and storage in Burkina Faso and a partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Senegal, were followed by major national strategies like Côte d'Ivoire's 2024-2030 Rice Sector Development Strategy, involving a 331 billion CFA franc investment to expand cultivation and yields.

Despite rising production, significant imports of around 5 to 6 million tons annually were needed to fill the supply gap. Regional policy momentum, including ECOWAS's 19 billion dollar mobilization plan for rice self-sufficiency by 2035, and national efforts to enhance the packaging and marketing of local rice began influencing the market structure, contributing to a stabilization of import volumes in recent years.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Western Africa

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

Western Africa's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 7 161 K t, marking a significant 70.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 83.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 22.3%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Western Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed notable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 K t and peaked in 2020 at 7 K t, representing a 14-fold difference. In 2020, exports from Western Africa increased modestly by 6.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 59.6%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, surging by 1 215.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was the primary buyer of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Western Africa, consistently accounting for 0.5% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 M $ US, while the highest occurred in 2019 at 12 M $ US, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4 times. In 2020, deliveries from Western Africa totaled 11 M $ US, declining by 1.9% from the prior year. The largest decrease was in 2018, dropping by 40.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 302.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India consistently led in exports by value for semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Western Africa, taking 0.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Western Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After rising for two years, imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice into Western Africa declined. In 2020, imports totaled 4 458 K t, showing a decrease of 6.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 31%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 458 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 26.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (34.9% of imports in volume), Thailand (20.2%), and China (14.8%) were the top suppliers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Western Africa, together accounting for 69.9% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Western Africa amounted to 1 940 M $ US, up by 11.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 48.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.1%. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 2.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 36.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, India (33.0% of imports by value), Thailand (21.4%), and Vietnam (17.4%) continued to lead as suppliers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Western Africa, jointly accounting for 71.8% of total imports by value.

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

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