Vietnamese fragrant rice, including 100% broken varieties, is sold in Senegalese supermarkets in 5-kg and 25-kg bags, priced at around US$1.3 per kg.

The Vietnam Trade Office in Algeria concurrently accredited to Senegal, shared that the West African country is a major rice importer, purchasing about 1 million tonnes annually, mainly low-cost 100% broken rice. Senegal also has one of the highest per-capita rice consumption rates in West Africa, at about 117 kg per person per year.

In 2026, Senegal’s rice imports are estimated to reach 1.5 million tonnes, accounting for roughly 70% of domestic demand. Major suppliers include India, Thailand, China, Pakistan, Uruguay and Vietnam.

Besides serving its domestic market of more than 19.3 million people, Senegal also imports rice for re-export to neighbouring countries such as Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau and Gambia.

In July 2025, during an official visit to Senegal by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, the two countries’ ministries of industry and trade signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on rice trade, under which Vietnam will promote exports of about 100,000 tonnes of rice annually to Senegal.

The agreement aims to strengthen Senegal’s food security, expand Vietnam’s presence in the African market and diversify export outlets for Vietnamese rice. Both sides are currently working to implement the MoU, contributing to rising rice export turnover to the market.

Promoting high-quality rice exports amid mounting challenges

Facing abundant global supply, high inventories in importing markets and mounting pressure from the upcoming Winter–Spring rice crop harvest, Vietnam’s rice sector is accelerating its shift toward high-quality exports in order to sustain growth and enhance value.