Top 10 African countries with the highest rice imports

Rice is the primary source of dietary energy in West Africa and the third most important staple crop across the entire African continent. It is grown in about 40 of Africa’s 54 countries and is the main livelihood for more than 35 million smallholder farmers.

The economic significance of rice cannot be overstated. Beyond feeding populations, rice is also an engine for trade, contributing to income generation and enhancing agricultural markets.

Many African countries have recognized the importance of this crop and are integrating rice production into national development plans, aiming to reduce dependency on rice imports and enhance local self-sufficiency. In countries like Nigeria and Senegal, boosting local rice production is a key strategy to stimulate economic growth and ensure food security.

However, the continent’s rapidly growing demand for rice presents challenges. Urbanization, population growth, and shifting consumer preferences are pushing rice consumption rates higher, and Africa’s capacity to meet these demands is under increasing strain.

Despite the continent’s vast agricultural potential, local production has struggled to keep pace with consumption. Consequently, Africa remains heavily reliant on imported rice to meet its needs.

Africa imports as much as 12.6 million tons of milled rice annually, with a staggering import bill of around $5.5 billion each year. This growing reliance on imports exacerbates concerns about food security and economic stability, highlighting the urgent need for greater investment in local rice production and infrastructure.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rice Outlook report, global rice trade is projected to reach 52.85 million tons in 2024, up by 345,000 tons from earlier forecasts.

According to a report by Statisense, sourced from Trade Map, Côte d’Ivoire is the largest importer of rice in Africa, with rice imports valued at $722.1 million. Benin follows closely behind, with rice imports valued at $653.4 million, while South Africa imports rice worth $634.7 million. Nigeria, on the other hand, had significantly lower rice imports, totaling $191,000.