ECOWAS: Paddy Rice Market 2025

Paddy Rice Market Size in ECOWAS

The ECOWAS paddy rice market was estimated at $X in 2021, with an increase of 3.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption posted a strong expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Paddy Rice Production in ECOWAS

In value terms, paddy rice production rose rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 74% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of paddy rice production was Nigeria (X tons), accounting for 40% of total volume. Moreover, paddy rice production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mali (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Guinea (X tons), with a 13% share.

In Nigeria, paddy rice production expanded at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Mali (+4.6% per year) and Guinea (+4.1% per year).

The average paddy rice yield dropped modestly to X tons per ha in 2021, leveling off at 2020 figures. In general, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the yield increased by 7.6%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the yield remained at a 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 paddy rice production in ECOWAS stood at X ha, remaining relatively unchanged against 2020 figures. The total harvested area indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, paddy rice harvested area decreased by -6.0% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to paddy rice production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Paddy Rice Exports

Exports in ECOWAS

In 2021, overseas shipments of paddy rice decreased by -14.9% to X tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 210%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, paddy rice exports fell rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 449%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Togo (X tons) was the main exporter of paddy rice, committing 56% of total exports. Ghana (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 22% share, followed by Senegal (9.2%) and Burkina Faso (4.8%). Nigeria (X tons) and Niger (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to paddy rice exports from Togo stood at +30.8%. At the same time, Ghana (+120.4%), Senegal (+53.7%), Nigeria (+36.9%), Burkina Faso (+27.0%) and Niger (+6.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ghana emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +120.4% from 2012-2021. While the share of Ghana (+22 p.p.), Senegal (+6.9 p.p.) and Nigeria (+3.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Burkina Faso (-2 p.p.), Togo (-4.5 p.p.) and Niger (-10.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Senegal ($X), Burkina Faso ($X) and Togo ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 68% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Senegal, with a CAGR of +69.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -21.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the export price increased by 77%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Burkina Faso ($X per ton), while Togo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal (+10.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Paddy Rice Imports

Imports in ECOWAS

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of paddy rice decreased by -18.3% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 57%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, paddy rice imports fell notably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed a perceptible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 103% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nigeria represented the largest importer of paddy rice in ECOWAS, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was near 65% of total imports in 2021. Benin (X tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Togo (9.6%). The following importers - Senegal (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons), Guinea-Bissau (X tons) and Gambia (X tons) - together made up 10% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to paddy rice imports into Nigeria stood at +8.7%. At the same time, Togo (+60.4%), Guinea-Bissau (+40.6%) and Senegal (+14.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Togo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +60.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Benin (-12.7%), Gambia (-19.4%) and Burkina Faso (-29.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Nigeria (+49 p.p.), Togo (+9.5 p.p.), Senegal (+2.5 p.p.) and Guinea-Bissau (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Gambia (-5 p.p.), Benin (-8.4 p.p.) and Burkina Faso (-31.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported paddy rice in ECOWAS, comprising 85% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Benin ($X), with a 3.9% share of total imports. It was followed by Guinea-Bissau, with a 2.3% share.

In Nigeria, paddy rice imports expanded at an average annual rate of +21.5% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Benin (-15.4% per year) and Guinea-Bissau (+44.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -15.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, enjoyed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 43% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+11.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform