• USDA forecasts 8% increase in paddy rice output, reaching 2.96 million tons
• Cultivated area projected to expand 8% to 850,000 hectares
• Improved climate, reduced pest pressure, and policy support drive optimism

In Mali, rice is the second most consumed grain after maize. Despite ongoing climatic uncertainties and security challenges, the country continues efforts to stabilize production, which already meets around 80% of national demand.

The 2025/2026 rice farming season is expected to bring improved results. On June 10, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) projected an 8% increase in paddy rice production, reaching 2.96 million tons.

This optimistic outlook is based on anticipated improvements in climate conditions, reduced pest infestations, and an expansion in cultivated area, which is projected to grow by 8% to 850,000 hectares.

This represents a significant rebound from the previous 2024/2025 season. According to the USDA, the harvested area then declined by 13% to 790,000 hectares, due to limited access to agricultural inputs, flooding caused by heavy rainfall, and increased insecurity in several key production zones. “The decrease in cultivated areas mainly affected the regions of Gao (-56%), Mopti (-35%), Koulikoro (-20%), Sikasso (-9%) and Ségou (-8%),” the report stated.

These challenges underscore the structural obstacles Mali must overcome to reach rice self-sufficiency. In April, the government announced plans to mobilize $24 million to fund the implementation of a National Program for scaling up the System of Rice Intensification (PN-SRI), aiming to raise local paddy rice output by 83% to 5.5 million tons.

In the meantime, Mali continues to rely on imports to bridge the production gap. The USDA estimates that the country’s rice imports will increase by 5%, reaching 500,000 tons in 2025/2026.