• Government engages UAE investors to boost rice production

• Imports still cover about 55% of national consumption

• Large areas of arable land remain underused

Côte d’Ivoire is looking to strengthen its rice production through new international partnerships, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on imports. On April 13, the Ministry of Agriculture hosted a delegation of Emirati investors led by Alina Adomaityte, representing the agribusiness division of Resources Investment LLC.

Talks focused on opportunities to develop the rice sector and on mechanisms to improve food security. According to the ministry, both sides agreed to set up joint working groups to facilitate the implementation of a future partnership, described as a promising step for the country’s agricultural sector.

The initiative comes at a time when Côte d’Ivoire remains heavily dependent on imports to meet domestic rice demand. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that the country imported 1.6 million tons of milled rice in the 2024–2025 season, covering about 55% of total consumption, estimated at 2.9 million tons.

Local production still accounts for less than half of domestic needs, despite significant untapped potential. Official data indicate that Côte d’Ivoire has more than 2 million hectares of land suitable for rice cultivation. Yet, according to the USDA, less than 900,000 hectares are currently used for rice farming.

In this context, the emerging partnership could open up new sources of financing for agricultural projects aimed at expanding domestic production capacity.

Stéphanas Assocle