Senegal, a major broken rice importer in Africa

This is one of the countries with the highest per capita rice consumption in West Africa, about 117 kg/person/year.

According to the country's Statistics Center, in 2023, Senegal's rice imports reached 1.3 million tons, with a turnover of more than 500 million USD, down 12.4% in volume and nearly 13% in value compared to 2022. The main suppliers include: India, Thailand, China, Pakistan, Uruguay, Vietnam... In addition to serving the domestic market of more than 18 million people, Senegal also imports rice for re-export to neighboring countries such as: Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau and Gambia.

In terms of mechanism, since 1995, Senegal has abolished the state-owned company's monopoly on rice imports and completely liberalized the import of this food. For many years, the Senegalese Government has implemented a policy of developing wet rice cultivation to ensure food self-sufficiency, but only meets 25-30%.

In 2023, Vietnam's rice exports to this market will reach 12,392 tons, worth 5.35 million USD (+215%). In the first two months of this year, according to the General Department of Customs, our country exported 414 tons of rice to Senegal, worth 307,820 USD.

With supplies tight and Senegal gearing up for the 2024 presidential election, the country is likely to increase its imports of broken rice from Asia. In March 2023, India allowed private companies to export 250,000 tonnes of broken rice to Senegal.

The decision is seen as a move by India to support some West African countries, despite the country having banned the export of 100% broken rice and imposed a 20% tax on the export of other types of rice from September 2022. During the discussion on agriculture at the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in February 2024, in order to diversify supply sources, Senegal's Trade Minister had a discussion with his Cambodian counterpart about importing rice from the Southeast Asian country.

Taxes related to rice imports into Senegal within the framework of the common tariff of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) include: White rice, brown rice, import tax is 12.7%, VAT is 18%; broken rice, import tax is 12.7%, VAT is 18%; other types of rice, import tax is 12.7%, VAT is 18%.

In early 2022, in the face of rising food prices, to maintain people's purchasing power, the Senegalese Government introduced a series of measures, including eliminating VAT on imported rice and reducing import taxes on broken rice and regular rice from 12.7% to 2.7%.

Hoang Duc Nhuan - Vietnam Trade Office in Algeria, concurrently in Senegal

Source: https://congthuong.vn/senegal-thi-truong-nhap-khau-gao-tam-lon-o-chau-phi-308146.html