South Africa: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in South Africa

The South African rice market shrank to $X in 2021, reducing by -6.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a pronounced decline. Rice consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Rice Production in South Africa

In value terms, rice production declined modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 14%. Rice production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of rice in South Africa totaled X tons per ha in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 2.2% against the previous year. The rice yield peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain 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 South Africa declined modestly to X ha in 2021, approximately equating 2020. In general, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 4.5% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Rice Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of rice were exported from South Africa; remaining constant against the year before. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 11%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, rice exports surged to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X tons), Swaziland (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) were the main destinations of rice exports from South Africa, with a combined 77% share of total exports. Namibia, Lesotho and Democratic Republic of the Congo lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Namibia (with a CAGR of +6.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for rice exported from South Africa were Botswana ($X), Swaziland ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X), with a combined 77% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Namibia, Lesotho and Democratic Republic of the Congo, which together accounted for a further 21%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Namibia, with a CAGR of +8.2%, recorded 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 average rice export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 16% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Swaziland ($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 Botswana (+6.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Rice Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of rice were imported into South Africa; with a decrease of -2.7% compared with the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 39%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, rice imports declined to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Thailand (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of rice to South Africa, accounting for a 74% share of total imports. Moreover, rice imports from Thailand exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Thailand totaled +11.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+0.2% per year) and China (-42.3% per year).

In value terms, Thailand ($X) constituted the largest supplier of rice to South Africa, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($X), with a 23% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Thailand totaled +4.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-2.5% per year) and China (-38.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average rice import price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -5.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the average import price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+6.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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