vietnam rice exports to senegal fail to meet growing demand
Published on: March 15, 2024.
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Despite being a major supplier of rice to Senegal, one of the highest rice-consuming countries in West Africa, Vietnam’s rice exports to Senegal have remained modest. In 2023, Vietnam exported 12,000 tonnes of rice to Senegal, generating a turnover of US$5.35 million, which represents a significant year-on-year increase of 215%. However, this amount is small compared to Senegal’s total purchase of 1.3 million tonnes of rice that year.
Senegal imports between 900,000 to 1 million tonnes of rice annually, with a preference for low-priced 100% broken rice. Its main rice suppliers include India, Thailand, China, Pakistan, Uruguay, and Vietnam. In addition to catering to its domestic market of over 18 million people, Senegal also imports rice for re-export to neighboring countries such as Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, and Gambia.
To maintain purchasing power amidst rising food prices, the Senegalese government implemented measures at the beginning of 2022. These measures included abolishing VAT on imported rice and reducing import duties on broken and regular rice from 12.7% to 2.7%.
Given the scarce supply situation and Senegal’s upcoming presidential elections in 2024, it is likely that the nation will increase its imports of broken rice from Asia.
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