The demand for rice growing significantly in Ethiopia

Rice has already become a major staple food in many parts of Ethiopia. This is mainly driven by population growth and urbanization. However, local rice production does not meet the growing demand due to low yields. As a result, the demand is currently being met by imported rice wherein 2018, Ethiopia imported four million quintals of rice worth USD170.69 million. In recent years, the demand for rice has increased signi¦cantly. Being a source of food by itself, rice flour is also mixed with Teff flour by most households in Ethiopia to make Injera. With an average increase of 50,000 MT every year, the demand for rice is estimated to reach six million quintals in 2019/20. On the other hand, local production of rice increased to 1.6 million quintals in 2018/19, up from 1.2 million in 2012/13.