Western Africa: Paddy Rice Market 2025

Paddy Rice Market Size in Western Africa

The West African paddy rice market expanded to $X in 2021, surging by 3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed buoyant growth. 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 Western Africa

In value terms, paddy rice production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 73% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of paddy rice production was Nigeria (X tons), comprising approx. 40% of total volume. Moreover, paddy rice production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mali (X tons), threefold. Guinea (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 13% share.

In Nigeria, paddy rice production increased 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).

In 2021, the average yield of paddy rice in Western Africa declined slightly to X tons per ha, remaining constant against the year before. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the yield increased by 7.8% against the previous year. 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.

The paddy rice harvested area stood at X ha in 2021, stabilizing at 2020. The total harvested area indicated a notable 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 -5.8% 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 reached the maximum at X ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Paddy Rice Exports

Exports in Western Africa

After five years of growth, shipments abroad of paddy rice decreased by -14.9% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 209%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, paddy rice exports dropped sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 448% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Togo (X tons) represented the largest exporter of paddy rice, mixing up 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) held a relatively small share of total exports.

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 Western Africa, with a CAGR of +120.4% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Ghana, Togo, Senegal and Nigeria increased by +22, +8.4, +7.4 and +3.4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

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

Senegal, with a CAGR of +69.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries 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 Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -21.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 77% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Western Africa

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of paddy rice, when their volume decreased by -20.5% to X tons. In general, imports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 59%. 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 contracted dramatically to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a tangible increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 103% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nigeria was the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which reached 65% of total imports. Benin (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 11% share, followed by Togo (9.6%). Senegal (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons), Guinea-Bissau (X tons) and Gambia (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

Imports into Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +8.7% from 2012 to 2021. 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 Western Africa, 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. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Nigeria, Togo, Senegal and Guinea-Bissau increased by +49, +9.5, +2.5 and +2.3 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported paddy rice in Western Africa, comprising 84% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Benin ($X), with a 3.9% share of total imports. It was followed by Guinea-Bissau, with a 2.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Nigeria amounted to +21.5%. 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 Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -14.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020, and then contracted 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

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