Cote d'Ivoire: 2018 Rice Semi-Annual Update
Post projects milled rice production for MY 2018/19 at 1.45 million metric tons (MMT), unchanged from the April 2018 report. Post revises MY 2017/18 milled production down slightly to 1.36 MMT based upon updates to official data. Import demand will remain strong, and Post revises its MY 2018/19 import projection upwards to 1.35 MMT. MY 2017/18 imports are also estimated up to 1.3 MMT due to pace of trade and expectations of steady shipments as the market year concludes. Côte d’Ivoire continues to strive towards achieving its National Rice Development Strategy (SNDR), which seeks self-sufficiency by 2020. Given market conditions and progress to date, Post expects that rice imports will stabilize but continue to play a key role in Côte d’Ivoire beyond this target.