• The loan supports rice shipments from India, Thailand, and Vietnam to African countries where rice forms a dietary staple. (112 characters)

• In 2025, Sub-Saharan Africa imported 22.3 million tonnes of rice, up 13.7% from 19.6 million tonnes in 2024, according to OSIRIZ. (118 characters)

• Africa produced around 25 to 28 million tonnes of milled rice in 2025, while consumption exceeded supply, leading to continued import reliance. (124 characters) 

On March 4, 2026, FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, announced a 7-year US$100 million financing facility to Olam Agri. The borrowers are Olam Global Agri Pte. Ltd. and Olam Global Agri Treasury Pte. Ltd., two entities within Olam Agri, the food, feed, and fibre operating group of Olam Group Limited. At signing, the loan is guaranteed by Olam Group. This guarantee will transfer to Olam Agri once its separation from the parent group is complete.

The proceeds of the loan will support working capital needs for the rice trade. Specifically, the funds enable the movement of rice from major Asian producers—India, Thailand, and Vietnam—to markets in Africa. In these African countries, rice is a staple in daily diets. The arrangement aims to maintain supply stability in regions that remain dependent on external sources for this commodity.

Olam Agri operates in the origination, processing, and distribution of agricultural products across emerging markets. Its activities include grains and oilseeds, wheat milling and pasta, rice, edible oils, animal feed and protein, cotton, wood products, rubber, sugar, bioenergy, and commodity financial services. In 2025, the company handled 53.7 million tonnes across its portfolio. Olam Agri is a founding member of the Sustainable Rice Platform, an initiative that addresses rice cultivation with lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced water use. Olam Agri Holdings Limited, which owns the Olam Agri business, is held 64.6% by Olam Group and 35.4% by SALIC International Investment Company.

Hans Bogaard, Director of Agribusiness, Food & Forestry at FMO, stated: “We are pleased to support Olam, a founding member of the Sustainable Rice Platform, which promotes rice cultivation with lower greenhouse gas emissions and water-efficient practices. Its combination of large-scale reach, deep engagement with smallholder farmers, and advanced digital systems positions it to lead sector-wide progress on sustainability. FMO looks forward to deepening its partnership with Olam Agri and contributing to more reliable, sustainable, and equitable food systems across Asia and Africa.”

Julie Greene, Chief Sustainability Officer at Olam Agri, added: “Ensuring reliable access to affordable and nutritious food is at the core of what we do as a global agri-food business. This support from FMO strengthens our ability to move essential food commodities from areas of abundant production to markets with strong demand, while continuing to invest in resilient and transparent supply chains.”

In 2025, rice import volumes into Sub-Saharan Africa reached 22.3 million tonnes, according to estimates from the Observatory of International Rice Statistics (OSIRIZ) published in January 2026. This figure represents a 13.7% increase from 19.6 million tonnes in 2024. The rise occurred amid an abundant global supply, which supported higher purchases. Nigeria accounted for 3.4 million tonnes, Côte d’Ivoire for 2.5 million tonnes (up 19% year-on-year), and Senegal for 1.9 million tonnes (up 200,000 tonnes). These three countries represented about 35% of the regional total. Sub-Saharan Africa remains a major part of global rice imports, with demand driven by population growth, urbanisation, and dietary patterns that favour rice as a staple.

Production of milled rice across Africa in 2025 fell within a range of 25 to 28 million tonnes, based on data from sources including Statista, FAO projections, and regional reports. Figures for paddy rice (unmilled) are often cited at around 40 million tonnes, with milling yields converted to the milled equivalent. Production increased in some areas through initiatives targeting smallholders and improving practices, but the pace did not keep pace with consumption needs. Consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa alone stood at around 38-40 million tonnes annually, creating a structural gap that is filled by imports. This gap has persisted despite programs aimed at raising local output, with imports covering roughly 40% of consumption in many analyses.

The loan aligns with efforts to address this import dependence by facilitating steady flows from Asia to Africa. It supports the role of private actors in maintaining staple food supply chains in regions where local production meets only a portion of demand. The arrangement also reflects ongoing cooperation between development finance institutions and companies active in global agricultural trade to support food access in import-reliant markets.

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