BURKINA FASO – Burkina Faso has suspended rice imports until further notice, as the government moves to support local farmers and improve the sale of domestic produce.
The decision took effect on April 29, according to a joint statement from the Ministries of Industry and Trade, Economy and Finance, and Agriculture. Authorities said the measure targets stronger uptake of local rice at a time when consumption keeps rising across the country.
“Therefore, the issuance of Special Import Authorizations (ASI) for rice is suspended. Importers currently holding valid rice ASIs have a period of two [02] months to complete the import formalities… In any case, any person who violates this decision will be subject to sanctions in accordance with the regulations in force,” the statement said.
Officials have not shared further details on the state of local production or whether unsold stocks triggered the move. However, the step reflects a wider trend across West Africa, where governments have taken action since late 2025 to protect local rice markets from strong competition linked to imports from Asia.
In Senegal, authorities introduced a subsidy of 50 CFA francs per kilogram of local rice, about US$0.08, and placed temporary limits on imports. Public institutions also received guidance to buy more local rice. In Mali, the government bought back 26,030 tonnes of unsold rice to support farmers and stabilize supply.
Ghana has taken a different path. The government allocated 200 million cedis, about US$18 million, to the National Food Buffer Stock Company. The agency buys surplus maize and rice from farmers and distributes the stock to public institutions such as schools, hospitals, and prisons.
Rice remains less dominant in Burkina Faso’s diet compared to these countries, but its role has grown in recent years. Data from the United States Department of Agriculture shows that consumption rose by nearly 300,000 tonnes between 2015 and 2022.
The country now ranks as the eighth largest rice importer in Africa. Forecasts show that Burkina Faso could import close to 900,000 tonnes of milled rice in the 2025 to 2026 season, up from 700,000 tonnes in 2021 to 2022.
The latest move signals a clear shift toward strengthening local supply, even as demand continues to rise.
