SADC: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in SADC

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was growth in the SADC rice market, when its value increased by 3.4% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild contraction. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Rice Production in SADC

In value terms, rice production expanded remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a perceptible slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Madagascar (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), together comprising 95% of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +10.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average rice yield was estimated at X tons per ha in 2021, remaining constant against the year before. In general, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, the rice yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 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.

The rice harvested area contracted slightly to X ha in 2021, almost unchanged from 2020 figures. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to rice production attained the maximum at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Rice Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, overseas shipments of rice decreased by -23.9% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, showed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 101%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then dropped markedly in the following year.

In value terms, rice exports reduced to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 88% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Tanzania (X tons) represented the largest exporter of rice, mixing up 61% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), committing a 32% share of total exports. The following exporters - Swaziland (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) - each finished at a 5.6% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Tanzania (with a CAGR of +29.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X), South Africa ($X) and Mozambique ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 97% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Tanzania, with a CAGR of +33.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 12% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a slight downturn. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 ($X per ton), while Swaziland ($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 mixed trends in the export price figures.

Rice Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, supplies from abroad of rice increased by 6.5% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +14.2% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, rice imports stood at $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +77.1% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Mozambique (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) represented roughly 54% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Madagascar (X tons), Angola (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons), together committing a 40% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Zimbabwe (with a CAGR of +28.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest rice importing markets in SADC were South Africa ($X), Mozambique ($X) and Angola ($X), together comprising 62% of total imports. Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

Zimbabwe, with a CAGR of +25.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -5.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 41%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Zimbabwe ($X per ton), while Mozambique ($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