Lower export taxes and record harvests fuel surge in grain shipments to the continent

Highlights

● Sub-Saharan Africa imported nearly 5 million tonnes of Indian parboiled rice between October and April
● The region accounted for 70% of India’s parboiled rice exports in that period
● Price per tonne has fallen below $350, down from over $500 a year ago 

India’s parboiled rice exports to sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are on track to hit a record high by September, according to the latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In the first seven months of India’s current export season (October–April), SSA imported nearly 5 million tonnes of the grain—up more than 50% compared to the same period last year. That figure already surpasses the total volume shipped during the entire 2020/2021 season.

This sharp increase follows the Indian government’s October 2024 decision to lift a 10% tax on rice exports, after a bumper harvest. The move helped drive prices down and reopened major export corridors, especially to Africa. SSA alone absorbed 70% of India’s parboiled rice shipments in the October-April window.

According to the USDA, a tonne of Indian parboiled rice currently sells for under $350, compared to over $500 a year ago, making it an attractive option in SSA markets where the variety’s firmer, less sticky texture fits traditional cuisine.

The USDA projects shipments to slow slightly in the coming weeks, as “African markets are reporting lower import demand due to an oversupply of rice. At the same time, some markets are facing container shortages and rising freight costs." Still, India remains poised to maintain its lead as the region’s primary rice supplier.

This article was initially published in French by Espoir Olodo

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho