WILLAGRI
Sub-Saharan Africa’s rice imports could reach a record high in the 2024-2025 season. According to the monthly report of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the region is expected to buy 18.6 million tonnes from the world rice market compared to 17.3 million tonnes in the previous year. This volume accounts for more than one-third of world rice trade. It makes sub-Saharan Africa the world’s main importer, ahead of Southeast Asia, whose purchases are down sharply: 12 million tonnes, four less than the previous year. With urbanization, population growth and changes in lifestyles, rice is ubiquitous in the daily meals of many sub-Saharan households. It is, with 40 million tonnes, the second most consumed cereal in sub-Saharan Africa behind maize (87 million tonnes); Over the past fifteen years, the combination of strong demand and weak local supply has led to a doubling of rice imports. The main drivers of Africa’s strong increase in purchases are the fall in rice prices caused by global overproduction and the lifting of export restrictions by India, the world’s largest player in the sector. The top three African importers – Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal (30% of African imports – have accelerated their imports to build up well-stocked stocks.
Source: Ecofin Agency