Egypt: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in Egypt

The Egyptian rice market reached $X in 2021, picking up by 2.5% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a perceptible curtailment. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Rice Production in Egypt

In value terms, rice production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 53%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2021, the average rice yield in Egypt expanded notably to X tons per ha, growing by 6.1% on the year before. Over the period under review, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the yield increased by 9.8% against the previous year. The rice yield peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The rice harvested area in Egypt fell slightly to X ha in 2021, declining by -5% on 2020 figures. In general, the harvested area continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 52%. The rice harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Rice Exports

Exports from Egypt

In 2021, overseas shipments of rice increased by 78% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, exports, however, faced a dramatic decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 170% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, rice exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a sharp reduction. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Libya (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Palestine (X tons) were the main destinations of rice exports from Egypt, with a combined 43% share of total exports. Turkey, India, Belgium, France, Lebanon, the UK, Senegal, the United Arab Emirates and Sudan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 45%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +196.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Libya ($X) remains the key foreign market for rice exports from Egypt, comprising 33% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Palestine ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Libya stood at -37.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Palestine (+29.1% per year) and Turkey (-13.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average rice export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 49% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 63%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Senegal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United Arab Emirates (+6.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Rice Imports

Imports into Egypt

In 2021, imports of rice into Egypt skyrocketed to X tons, increasing by 18% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports, however, faced a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 223% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, rice imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 341% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, India (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of rice to Egypt, accounting for a 74% share of total imports. Moreover, rice imports from India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Thailand (X tons), eightfold. Pakistan (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from India stood at -11.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Thailand (-5.5% per year) and Pakistan (-21.4% per year).

In value terms, India ($X) constituted the largest supplier of rice to Egypt, comprising 80% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Thailand ($X), with a 6.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from India stood at -10.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Thailand (-2.2% per year) and Pakistan (-29.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average rice import price amounted to $X per ton, approximately reflecting the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 37%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for Pakistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+3.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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