Africa: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in Africa

In 2021, the African rice market increased by 7.2% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Rice Production in Africa

In value terms, rice production expanded rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -5.1% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Nigeria (X tons), Egypt (X tons) and Madagascar (X tons), with a combined 47% share of total production. These countries were followed by Tanzania, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal and Ghana, which together accounted for a further 41%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Senegal (with a CAGR of +12.7%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average rice yield fell modestly to X tons per ha in 2021, approximately reflecting 2020 figures. In general, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by 4.6%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the total area harvested in terms of rice production in Africa was estimated at X ha, growing by 3.2% against the previous year's figure. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 11%. The level of harvested area peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Rice Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was decline in overseas shipments of rice, when their volume decreased by -1.4% to X tons. Total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +36.8% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 47%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then fell modestly in the following year.

In value terms, rice exports amounted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Niger was the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 44% of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 21% share, followed by South Africa (11%), Senegal (8.9%) and Rwanda (6%). Uganda (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from Niger increased at an average annual rate of +30.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Rwanda (+35.2%), Tanzania (+29.8%) and Uganda (+5.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Rwanda emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +35.2% from 2012-2021. Senegal and South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Niger (+36 p.p.), Tanzania (+17 p.p.) and Rwanda (+5.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Senegal and South Africa saw its share reduced by -8.8% and -12% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Niger ($X) remains the largest rice supplier in Africa, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tanzania ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 13% share.

In Niger, rice exports increased at an average annual rate of +29.5% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (+33.8% per year) and South Africa (+1.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 15% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Rice Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of rice were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, rice imports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 36%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Senegal (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Benin (X tons), Mozambique (X tons), Cameroon (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) represented roughly 54% of total imports in 2021. The following importers - Kenya (X tons), Madagascar (X tons), Djibouti (X tons), Niger (X tons), Somalia (X tons) and Angola (X tons) - together made up 20% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Djibouti (with a CAGR of +25.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest rice importing markets in Africa were Benin ($X), Cote d'Ivoire ($X) and South Africa ($X), together accounting for 26% of total imports. Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Mozambique, Kenya, Angola, Madagascar, Somalia, Niger and Djibouti lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 46%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Djibouti, with a CAGR of +22.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -1.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 4.2%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Angola ($X per ton), while Mozambique ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+1.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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