• Senegal introduced a CFA50 ($0.08) per kilogram subsidy on locally produced rice purchases starting March 5.

• Authorities seek to boost the competitiveness of domestic rice against imports that dominate consumption.

• Senegal imported 1.6 million tonnes of rice in 2024/2025, and the United States Department of Agriculture expects 1.7 million tonnes in 2025/2026.

The Senegalese Ministry of Industry and Commerce has introduced a subsidy of CFA50 per kilogram for purchases of locally produced rice since March 5. The ministry announced the measure in a statement on its website and said the policy aims to integrate domestic rice more effectively into commercial distribution channels.

Rice remains the most widely consumed cereal in Senegal. However, rising reliance on imports has limited the ability of local production to reach consumers’ plates.

The initiative should strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic rice sector against imported rice, according to the Market Regulation Agency (ARM).

“As the guarantor of the balance between supply and demand, the ARM sees this subsidy as an essential lever for stabilizing consumer prices while ensuring fair remuneration for domestic producers.” the regulator said.

The subsidy marks the latest effort by the government to promote locally produced rice. Earlier, on Feb. 26, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko issued a circular that instructed administrative services, public institutions and state agencies to prioritize Senegalese rice in procurement. Authorities aim to create additional demand for local producers through public purchases.

Authorities also implemented earlier market interventions. In November 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce agreed with sector stakeholders to suspend the issuance of import declarations for rice for one month. The measure targeted tighter market regulation.

These policies come as Senegalese rice producers struggle to sell accumulated stocks after months of competition from cheaper and often higher-quality imported rice.

In October 2025, producers in the Dagana department in the Senegal River valley warned that nearly 195,000 tonnes of paddy and milled rice from the 2025 harvest could remain unsold.

Rice imports into Senegal have increased in recent years. Data compiled by the United States Department of Agriculture show that the country imported 1.6 million tonnes of milled rice during the 2024/2025 marketing year, representing a 23% increase compared with 1.3 million tonnes in 2022/2023. The agency estimates that imports during the ongoing 2025/2026 marketing year could reach 1.7 million tonnes.

Stéphanas Assocle