Nigeria 2022-23 Rice Production Estimated to Fall by 7%, USDA Says

By George Mwangi

Special to Dow Jones Newswires

Nigeria's rice production is estimated to fall by 7% in the marketing year beginning October through September 2023 mainly due to insecurity and floods in rice-growing regions, the United States Agriculture Department said late Monday.

Production is expected to decline to 7.8 million metric tons from 8.4 million tons in 2021-22, the USDA said in its Nigeria grain and feed update.

Area harvested is expected to shrink by 7% to 3.4 million hectares (an hectare equals 2.47 acres) in the current marketing year, it said.

Floods in September washed away thousands of hectares of rice farms at the maturing stage, the USDA said, citing extension officers and farmers.

In 2021-2022, yield increased marginally due to good weather, improved management practices, and improved varieties, it said.

Rice imports are estimated to fall to 1.5 million tons, down from 2.2 million tons the prior marketing year due to a partial ban, it said.

In 2022-23, rice consumption is estimated at 6.9 million tons, a decline of 5% due to higher prices amid dwindling consumer purchasing power, it said.

The price of 50-kilogram of rice has increased more than 50% over the last 12 months amid the devaluation of the Nigerian currency and rising inflation, the USDA said.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

10-26-22 0912ET