Vietnam Rice Exports Take Flight: Senegal Emerges as a Key Growth Market

Currently, Vietnam rice exports have been hitting the headlines in the mainstream media, indicating that shipments to Senegal increased significantly last year, specifically in 2025. According to reports, Vietnam exported 168,020 tons of rice to Senegal in 2025 which was valued at $52.57 million. Notably, this represents a 30-fold increase in Vietnamese rice exports to Senegal in 2025 compared to 2024. Interestingly, Experts are appreciating this development as excellent news for Vietnam from the perspective of rice exports. Not only this, but a report cited that Vietnamese Customs data that there is a strong demand in Senegal for high-quality, 100% broken aromatic rice, in the Senegalese market, this rice is sold in 5-kilogram and 25-kilogram bags at a rate of $1.3 per gram.

Vietnam rice exports and its hold in the Senegalese market

Vietnam has executed a strategic plan to establish a strong foothold for its rice in the Senegalese market. As part of this initiative, Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of Vietnam's National Assembly, paid an official visit to Senegal in July 2025. During his visit, the Ministries of Industry and Trade of both Vietnam and Senegal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding rice trade. Notably, under this agreement, Vietnam aims to export 100,000 tons of rice to Senegal annually. Moreover, this agreement regarding rice between the two nations has been designed to strengthen food security for Senegal, while simultaneously expanding access to the African market and diversifying export outlets for Vietnamese rice.

Senegal ranks among the world's leading rice-importing nations

In addition, reports mentioned that both countries are actively implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further boost export turnover in the market. Interestingly, Senegal ranks among the world's leading rice-importing nations, importing an average of 1 million tons of rice annually from various countries across the globe. The majority of this imported volume consists of 100% broken rice. Rice consumption in Senegal is substantial; that’s why the demand for rice in the country remains consistently high. In the context of Senegal's rice consumption, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has projected that rice consumption in Senegal will reach 2.26 million tons during the 2025-26 crop year.

Why do rice imports remain a necessity for Senegal?

It is estimated that this figure represents a 2% increase, driven by Senegal's growing population. When it comes to rice imports, the projection states that Senegal rice imports could reach 1.5 million tons by 2026. It should be noted that Senegal imports rice not only from Vietnam but also from other nations such as India, Pakistan, China, Uruguay, and Thailand. Senegal also engages in the re-export of rice, supplying it to neighbouring countries such as Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia. Consequently, experts view the strong foothold established by Vietnamese rice in Senegal as a source of competitive advantage. When it comes to the high demand for rice in Senegal, major global rice exporters, including Vietnam and India, can fulfil this demand while generating significant profits. As far as Senegal's goal of achieving self-sufficiency in rice is concerned, the country is indeed striving to do so; however, it is currently able to produce only 25% to 30% of its total consumption requirements. This is precisely why imports remain a necessity for the nation.